Authors: Mochache, L.N.; Nyamongo, I.K.

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 13, Number 7, July 2009 , pp. 895-899(5)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

SETTING: The Abagusii people in rural south-west Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate tuberculosis (TB) treatment pathways and factors associated with treatment-seeking behaviour.

METHOD: Quantitative data were obtained using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 household heads, while qualitative data were obtained from three focus group discussions (FGDs), six key informant interviews and seven case histories that focused on experiences of TB.

RESULTS: Data reveal that patients follow oscillatory pathways in treatment seeking. Treatment-seeking behaviour is influenced by socio-structural and superstructural forces such as beliefs and perceptions regarding treatment and disease-causing factors.

CONCLUSION: To improve TB treatment, these socio-structural and superstructural factors should be addressed.

Keywords: tuberculosis; treatment seeking; Gusii; south-west Kenya

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Publication date: 2009-07-01

More about this publication?

• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

  Certain IJTLD articles are selected for translation into French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian. They are available on the Union website

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Internal Medicine
• By this author: Mochache, L.N. ;  Nyamongo, I.K.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers