Effects of poverty on utilization of health care facilities in Kawangware Semi-Urban Settlements, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Poverty is a major problem that affects many individuals in Kenya. The study aimed at assessing the effects of poverty on utilization of health care facilities in Kawangware Semi-Urban Settlements, Nairobi Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives; to identify available health facilities/care in Kawangware, to establish the common reported cases of ailments among Kawangware semi-urban settlement dwellers, and to determine the effect of household’s income levels on use of health care facilties in Kawangware. The study relied on survey design. The objectives of the study were achieved through various methods of data collecting which included face to face interviews and use of questionnaires. In total, about 113 respondents took part in the study. The study revealed that the most common health services in Kawangware division are ante natal and post natal care, maternal care and family planning. Results of the study highlighted that the most common illnesses is malaria, respiratory tract infections and Typhoid. The study also established that income levels play significant role in the use of health facilities. Income levels influence decisions on whether to seek treatment and where to the seek treatment. Households with low income levels prefer services of traditional healers while households with high income prefer to go to health facilities. The study concluded that most of illness in Kawangware division seems to be associated with the living conditions and surrounding environments including contaminated water supply and unsanitary human and household waste disposal. The study recommends that appropriate action be taken to improve and expand on the available health services in the Kawangware. The study also calls for the need to have prevention and control strategies of various prevalent illnesses in the study area. Lastly, there is need for policies that standardize charges for specific health services which the government does not offer freely, such as x-ray and laboratory charges. Alternatively, programs for encouraging economic empowerment of the population need to be considered.