Barriers to Health Care by Women Infected With Tuberculosis in Kibera Slums, Nairobi
Abstract
This thesis presents the findings of a study on the barriers to health care by women
infected with tuberculosis in Kibera slums. Kibera slums are located in Kibera division
of Nairobi province. The main objective of the study was to identify the barriers to
Tuberculosis health care by women infected with the disease in these slums.
The study was carried out among residents of Kibera slums. These included men and
women as well as female TB patients in the area. This was done during the month of
January 2006.
Data was collected by use of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Case studies and
key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data while questionnaires were
used to collect quantitative data. Information from questionnaires was subjected to
quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics. The Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) was used for analysis. Quotes were extracted from the case studies and
key informant interviews and incorporated in the findings.
Findings from the study show that most female TB patients either delay or fail to seek for
health care whenever they are infected with the disease because of ignorance of the
disease, poverty, stigma and inadequate time to visit health care facilities.
The study recommends that Kibera community members be sensitized about the disease,
the available treatment and the importance of early detection, treatment and compliance.
Citation
Master of ARTS in AnthropologyPublisher
University of Nairobi Institute Of Anthropology, Gender And African Studies