The Importance of Oral Transmission Health Information and Knowledge for Healthy Ageing and High Life Expectancy: The Case of the Mazungunye Community, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The low life expectancy in Zimbabwe is attributed to poverty and inaccessibility to health care services. Despite these challenges, some people have lived for more than 80 years because of a lifestyle informed by the consistent implementation of age-old orally-transmitted health information and knowledge. The culturally-transmitted health information includes advice on proper nutrition and medical practices, which leads to healthy ageing and high life expectancy. The purpose of this study was to explore the importance of the transmission of health information and knowledge for healthy ageing and a high life expectancy. Furthermore, this study sought to describe the impact of orally-transmitted information on healthy ageing and high life expectancy. A qualitative approach was followed with exploratory and descriptive designs. The findings of the study indicated that the transmission of health information plays a crucial role in promoting healthy ageing and high life expectancy. Additionally, people who have had access to such information and knowledge have a sense of diligence concerning implementing this knowledge, and this contributes to a long and healthy life. The transmission of health information and knowledge is of paramount importance for the health of present generations. The study recommends that this information be documented, since the passing away of critical holders of such information leads to its distortion.