Uptake of Tuberculosis Screening among the Community Members in Meru County, Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Njiru, Martin Njeru
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Globally tuberculosis infections cause the majority (95%) of mortality in poorer nations. As the population of poor countries grows, the number of people infected with tuberculosis (TB) increases each year, leading to a 95 percent increase in mortality rates. World Health Organization considers tuberculosis to be one of the most serious infectious diseases caused by a combination of mycobacterium genera. In Kenya, TB is the fourth leading cause of death. In 2015 81,518 cases of TB were identified and treated. The Kenya prevalence survey of 2015-2016 found that the estimated prevalence is 558/100,000 way above the WHO estimate of 233/100,000. The general objectives of the study were to investigate the uptake of TB screening community members in Meru county, Kenya a case of Tigania East. The study design used was a cross-sectional survey in Tigania East. The study utilized quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The study targeted a population of 104,442 respondents who were in households, a sample size of 440 households was drawn from the five wards randomly and proportionately selected. The key informant interviewed were 7 health workers and a focus group discussion of 5 community leaders. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS version 26. The study found out that the majority of the respondents 68% (n=288) stated that they have never been screened for TB while 32% (n= 137) stated that they have been tested for TB. The study found out that there were statistically significant association between TB screening and religion (X2 =13.103, df 3; p value=0.004,), monthly income (X2 =14.970, df 6; p value=0.020,), participants attitude on TB infection (X2 =19.770, df 3, p value=0.000,). The study concluded that religion and the monthly income of community members of Tigania East were associated with TB screening. The study also concludes that knowledge on TB symptoms and opportunistic infections like HIV was related to TB screening. Lastly, the study concluded that there was a relationship between the attitude of community members on TB Screening associated with the level of uptake. The study recommended that the Ministry of Health should introduce and implement Integrated Public health campaigns targeting all age groups, social class and literacy level in the Meru community towards TB screening by health managers at lower administrative units. The policymakers in the Ministry of Health should recommend regular sensitization of members of the public on TB screening to equip them with knowledge on the importance of TB screening and ways of preventing TB, this will reduce the number of TB cases in Meru county and Kenya. Lastly, on the negative attitude of community members towards TB screening, the Ministry of Health both the county and national government should introduce Behavior change advocacy campaigns targeting the Meru community, this will ensure positive behaviour change toward TB screening
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirment for the Award of the Degree of Master in Public Health Systems Management and Application in the School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University, May, 2021
Keywords
Uptake, Tuberculosis Screening, Community Members, Meru County, Kenya