Effect of distance on access to health services among women with type 2 diabetes in a rural community in Kenya
Abstract
Author(s): L W Mwaura, S Wandibba, and C O Olungah

This cross-sectional and descriptive survey has determined the extent to which distance to the formal healthcare facilities influences the health-seeking behaviour of women suffering from diabetes in Kiambu County, Central Kenya. The lottery method and systematic sampling were used to select the study sub-counties and study sample size of 200 women. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews through survey methods, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions and narratives. The age of the respondents ranged from 18 to 85 years, while their modal range of age was 63–67 years. Over a half (54.0%) had primary education, 23.5% had secondary school education, and 18.5% had no formal education. Others (2.0%) reported that they had either university education or adult literacy classes. The range of distance covered was 1–141 km and the modal range of the distance travelled was 15–19 km. This study indicated that distance impacts choice of a health facility, cost of health services, frequency of clinic attendance, and mode of transport from home to the health facility. Taking health services closer to persons suffering from diabetes could benefit healthseeking behaviour

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