Submission ID 116997
| Issue/Objective | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome of Covid Virus (SARS-CoV-2) commonly known as corona virus (COVID-19), was discovered as a new viral class of Coronaviridae family when a cohort of people in Wuhan Province in China were suspected to present with pneumonia-like symptoms which confirmed to be novel coronavirus. Preventive measures and vaccination are the main approaches to controlling spread of COVID-19 while early disease stage health-seeking behavior (HSB) of patients is an important link to achieving infection prevention and control. Slums present with increased population rate, inadequate access to clean water, small informal dwellings and sharing of unhygienic sanitation facilities such as toilets by multiple households. Slum dwellers are considered among high-risk individuals during pandemics and other disease outbreaks recording higher overall mortality and morbidity rates. It is in this regards that HSB of slum dwellers in Railways slums was investigated. The main objective of the study was to determine COVID-19 HSB among slum dwellers of Railways in Mombasa County. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Railways slums, Mombasa County using a structured questionnaire administered to 133 study participants and by using interviews for 3 key informants, all selected using simple random and purposive sampling, respectively. Data were subjected to univariate, bivariate and binary logistic analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. Results were presented using tables, charts, graphs and thematic narration. |
| Results | The study found 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 |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The study concludes that understanding slum dwellers health-seeking behaviors and their influencing factors during pandemic informs on development of effective preventive strategies for future SARS illnesses and recommends mass education and awareness to promote attitude change, mass testing and vaccination and promotion of adherence to control and preventive measures of SARs illnesses. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Winnie Barawa Kenya Medical Training College Winnie Barawa Kenya Medical Training College Winnie Barawa Kenya Medical Training College |
