| dc.description.abstract | The research on which this thesis was based meant to avail data on perceptions
of health and illness among women of Thiba Location in Kirinyaga District, Kenya.
These perceptions were assessed in light of socio-cultural and demographic factors.
Women's health perceptions are examined vis-a-vis the impact of group membership,
health education, experience with illness and such demographic variables as age,
level of education and religious affiliation. The importance of women groups was
emphasized due to the women's key role as guardians and promoters of family health.
In addition, women form the bulk of rural population and their efforts in group
contexts are seen to make an important contribution to overall socio-economic
wellbeing. Women groups are therefore studied as a variable but not a sub-sample.
The percieved benefits of these groups have also been assessed.
To tap the health perceptions, this study employs the theoretical models of
Disease Ecology and Symbolic Interactionism due to their presentation of reality as
self-constructed by the actors. The data for the study were collected by use of the
survey method with the interview as the main technique of data gathering. This data
data was augmented with that collected using observation and informal interviews.
A total of 119 women were interviewed. Of these, 68 (57%) were women group
members and 51 (43%) were non-members. More group members were selected for
the study since group membership was hypothetically taken as the key independent
variable influencing illness perceptions. Sampling Was done by use of the multi-stage
random sampling technique. Both descriptive and inferential statistics are used in the
data analysis. The computation of these statistics was through the SPSS (Statistical
Package for the Social Science) computer programme.
The study found that 98.3% of the women were aware of the diseases in the
area and could link them to the man-made and natural environment. These women
were in their 40s and majority of them were married catholics. Most of the women
(79.8%) reported having experienced at least one illness in the recent past and had
acted knowledgeably to end the illness. Indeed majority of the respondents reported
that they had sought modern medical help for cure. Health education was found to
have been received by only 58 (48.7%) of the respondents. This had been through
the Public Health Officers during times of disease outbreak. Majority of the women
(66.4%) answered in favour of equality in the roles performed by men and women.
Women-related tasks were not perceived to be a cause of ill health as they lead to
better health. The environment (contaminated water, dust, landlessness, polluted air,
overcrowded housing and increasing population) was perceived by 87.4% of the
respondents as the main cause of diseases.
Statistical tests enabled the researcher to establish that the most crucial
independent variable influencing health and illness perceptions was the women's
experience with illness. Other social factors such as age, level of education, health
education, religious affiliation and group membership were found to be of less
significance.
In conclusion, therefore, the study takes the position that even if Thiba women
are aware of the disease environment, their perceptions are mostly a consequence of
a long experience with illness. Further, the women are aware of their self-worth and
are working towards the upliftment of their health status even when material and other
resources are not easily accessible to them.
The major recommendation of this study is the introduction of Participatory
Research in the Location so that the local community can be guided on the best ways
of researching themselves and solving their numerous health-related problems. In
terms of policy, it is felt that concerted efforts must be made towards the provision
of cleaner and safer water for the populace. This will go a long way in reducing the
numerous water-borne diseases in the area. The local people's confidence and self-worth can hence be enhanced. | en |
