Factors associated with the utilization of health care services among patients with chronic lymphatic filariasis in Goshi location, Malindi Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. The clinical manifestations of LF are elephantiasis, hydrocoele and acute filarial fever. The disease causes considerable morbidity to the affected individuals with consequent loss of income and social and psychological stress. Elephantiasis has enormous impact on individuals, families and communities in terms of disease burden, loss of productivity, the aggravation of poverty and high cost of long term care. It causes disfigurement and disability leading to stigma and social discrimination. The main objective of this study was to determine factors associated with the utilization of health care services among patients with chronic lymphatic filariasis in Goshi location. A cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative method of data collection was conducted. 220 patients with obvious chronic LF signs were purposively sampled from all 5 sub-locations in Goshi location for Qualitative data. 18 Opinion Leaders and 4 Focus Group Discussions were held with purposively selected Participants for qualitative data. Cross tabulations was used to test association between factors and utilization health care service among patients with chronic LF. Religious and level of education was found to be significantly associated with utilization of health care services (P<0.01).Respondents had psychological support from community, family and fellow patients which influenced utilization of health care services (P<0.001).Factors such as time spent to get health care services, giving up work, feeling of pain, cost of transport and health services negatively influenced health care utilization. (P< 0.05).The result of this study will be used to compliment and add value to the ongoing effort to eliminate LF and control morbidity due to LF in Kenya.