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 sublocations 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.