Influence of Definitions of Malaria Illness on Health seeking Behavior in Homabay County, Kenya
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Date
2020-02
Authors
Odinga, Nancy Awuor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Malaria poses a great challenge to countries in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa,
malaria is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. This disease kills
many people despite the interventions that have been put in place. This study
explored the influence of definitions of malaria illness on health-seeking behavior in
Homabay County, Kenya. The objectives of this study were to document the sociodemographic characteristics of residents of Homabay County, to establish the
definitions of malaria illness held by the residents of Homabay County, to determine
the health-seeking behavior adopted during malaria illness and to analyze the
relationship between definitions of illness and health-seeking behavior for malaria.
The study adopted the Symbolic Interaction Theory, Health Belief Model (HBM)
and Suchman Stages of Illness and Medicare Model. The study employed a crosssectional survey research design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative
approaches in data collection. It utilized a sample size of (384) respondents from
Suba South Constituency in Homabay County. Qualitative data was collected using
key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Four key informant
interviews and four focus group discussions together with the open-ended questions
in the questionnaire provided qualitative data. Closed-ended questions in the
questionnaire provided quantitative data which was analyzed descriptively using
Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 and presented in form of
tables and charts. Qualitative data, on the other hand, was transcribed and presented
in themes as per the objective of the study. The study revealed that a majority of the
respondents had the correct definition of malaria illness which they linked to
mosquito bites however there were misconceptions surrounding the disease such as
malaria being caused by staying long in water and drinking dirty water among
others. The study also revealed that respondents used pain killers together with other
drugs bought from chemists as their first point of action when they had symptoms of
malaria. The use of health facilities in rectifying ill health was considered when over
the counter drugs did not cure illness. This study also revealed a relationship
between the definitions of malaria illness and health-seeking behavior through
analysis of the number of respondents’ definitions of malaria illness and the action
they took. Those who defined malaria to be caused by mosquitoes went to local
shops or chemists and health facilities to seek treatment. This study, therefore,
concluded that respondents had the correct etiology of malaria coupled with other
definitions arising out of social experiences with the disease. The study
recommended the need for sensitization of malaria through vernacular radio stations
and the participation of community members during health talks to improve on
knowledge, health-seeking behavior and demystify misconceptions. Through this,
interventions geared towards mitigating malaria can be accepted and be more
effective.
Description
Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Sociology) of Kenyatta University. February 2020
Keywords
Definitions, Malaria Illness, Healthseeking Behavior, Homabay County, Kenya