The influence of socio-culturaland economic factors on health seeking behaviour: the case of measles in children in rarieda division, siaya district'

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the influence of socio-cultural and economic factors on health seeking behaviour in the case of measles in children .• Fieldwork for the study was conducted in Rarieda Division in Siaya District between November 1996 and February 1997. The study sought to find out the effects of feeding habits on the management of measles, whether there was a gender preference in the way children with measles are treated, people's beliefs about the cause of measles, and whether the level of formal education influences choice of therapeutic options. A total of 161 respondents were systematically sampled and interviewed. The methods used in obtaining data information for this study were library research, interviews, focus group discussions and case studies. The data were analyzed both quantitatively and the information

presented in the form of tables. The findings reveal that people tend to utilize various therapeutic options for the same episode of illness. The health seeking behaviour of the Luo in Rarieda Division results from a number of factors. In examination of the factors, financial resources and cultural beliefs were found to exert a lo~nfluence on people's health seeking behaviour.

It is, therefore, recommended that health educators emphasize on educating people about causes, symptoms and treatment of common diseases, like measles. In addition, greater attention should be directed to the adoption of an integrated and comprehensive approach to the control management and treatment of measles. It is also recommended that health policy makers should also recognize and utilize traditional health systems.