Yusuf, Hassan Hussein (2006) Socio-Economic Factors Influencing the Spread of Malaria in Likoni Division, Mombasa District, Kenya. Masters thesis, Kenyatta University.
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Abstract
A study to identify socio-economic factors that are important in the spread of malaria was conducted in Likoni Division of Coast Province, Kenya, between April and July 2004. The study focused on knowledge about malaria, preventive measures, health seeking behaviour and the economic factors influencing the community treatment seeking behaviour for malaria. A sample of 400 household heads was studied. An average of 69.75% of the respondents knew the signs and symptoms of the disease. Chi-square test of independence was used to establish the relationship between the level of education and level of knowledge on the cause of malaria and it was significant (p < 0.001). The respondents were knowledgeable on the cause of malaria. Out 380 (95%) respondents who mentioned 'mosquito bite' as the cause for malaria, 293 respondents (73.3%) attributed it to other causes as well. Although public health facilities were within easy reach, (1-5km) from the respondents' households, self treatment was very common: of the 400 respondents interviewed, 73.8% treated themselves at home with herbal remedies and/or medicine purchased from local shops, chemists and control programs; 7.8% treated themselves through traditional healers; and 18.5% received treatment at the health facilities. Chi-square test of independence was used to establish the relationship between the level of income and the community seeking health behaviour and it was significant (p < 0.001). The most commonly bought drug was Malaratab® a proprietary form of chloroquine, while a small percentage (3%) administered analgesics alone thought to be full doses of treatment. Chi-square test of independence was used to establish the relationship between the level of knowledge on the cause of malaria and knowledge on the breeding sites of mosquitoes and it was significant (p<0.001) and the same test was used to establish the relationship between the level of knowledge on the cause of malaria and the preventive measures against malaria and was also significant (p = 0.003), but preventive measures were hampered by cost implications. Use of mosquito nets was low (28.15%) and there was low coverage on the under fives (40%). The use of commercial pyrethrum aerosol sprayers/coils was high (35%). Majority of the households did not have soak pits, which are essential for control of mosquito breeding in the community. Chi-square test of independence was used to establish the relationship between the level of income and the preventive measures against malaria and it was significant (p < 0.001). The antenatal IPT service for pregnant women faced operational problems. The key economic factors such as unemployment (42.5%) and household financial burden (72.25%) on other expenditures accounted for the residents' failure of acquiring/providing the essentials for malaria control. The major factors identified were the high rate of self-treatment, delay in seeking diagnosis or treatment, low household wealth (poverty), cost consideration of prevention and control measures of malaria and unreliable malaria diagnostic method (presumptive judgement). In addition, there was non-compliance of IPT by pregnant women, antimalarial drug resistance, omissions of vital control measures and Government failure in providing essential commodities for malaria control. The results of this study have important implications in the involvement of the community in the control of malaria and other vector-borne diseases.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HM Sociology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Tim Khabala |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Feb 2018 13:11 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Feb 2018 13:11 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/3323 |
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