Health Literacy and Wellbeing Enhancement Among Young Mothers in Kibera: An Ethnographic Analysis

Kibera is a densely populated informal settlement in Nairobi, South Africa, known for its young mother population. The Kibera Health Promotion Programme (KHPP) aims to improve health literacy and wellbeing among young mothers. The study employed participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions to gather data from young mothers participating in the KHPP. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Young mothers reported significant improvement in health literacy skills, with a majority (75%) indicating they could better manage their own health issues after participation in the programme. Themes emerged around self-efficacy and community support networks. The Kibera Health Promotion Programme has been effective in enhancing young mothers' health literacy and overall wellbeing over three years of implementation. Future programmes should focus on building upon existing strengths, such as strong community support networks, to further improve outcomes for young mothers.