Health-Seeking Behavior during Covid-19 among Slum Dwellers in Railways Informal Settlement, Mombasa County, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhs.3513Keywords:
Choices, COVID-19, Enabling Factors, Health, Need FactorsAbstract
Purpose: The main objective of the study was to determine Health Seeking Behaviour during COVID-19 among slum dwellers in Railways informal settlement in Mombasa County.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to administer 133 structured questionnaires and 3 key informants’ interviews, to participants who were selected using simple random and purposive sampling, respectively. Data was analyzed and results presented using tables, charts, graphs and thematic narration
Findings: The study found that the mean age was 37.5 years, 69.2% were married 46.6% had attained secondary level of education and 79.7% were Christians. Most slum dwellers are self-employed (51.9%) with an average monthly income of <Ksh 15,000. Housing included semi-permanent houses (56.4%) and most dwellers lived with their family members. Majority of slum dwellers preferred wearing face masks (93.2%), 59% of the respondents preferred seeking physician consultation, there was 76.7% COVID-19 testing rate and 76.7% COVID-19 vaccination rate. The study also found that divorced slum dwellers were three times more likely to seek physician’s services than single slum dwellers (β=1.228, B/OR=3.415, p=0.447, 95%CI=0.144-80.177). Inadequate funds presented as the leading challenge in sustaining preventive and control measures of COVID-19.
Unique Contribution to Theory Policy and Practice: The study concludes that understanding slum dwellers health-seeking behaviors and their influencing factors during the pandemic informs on development of effective preventive strategies for future SARS illnesses and recommends need for mass education and awareness to promote attitude change, mass testing and vaccination and promotion of adherence to control and preventive measures of SARs illnesses.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Winnie Choni Barawa, Dr. Karani Magutah, Dr. Dominic Mogere
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