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.