Health-Seeking Behavior and Associated Factors among PTB Patients in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), Kenya, 2022

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the health-seeking behaviour (HSB) of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients and its associated factors, which significantly impacts disease management in countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis (TB), such as Kenya. The PTB burden in Kenya has increased significantly in recent years due to poor health-seeking behaviour among PTB patients. Despite the implementation of free PTB testing and treatment, inadequate HSB contributes to high morbidity and mortality rates and increases the spread of PTB. The primary objective was to assess the health-seeking behaviour and associated factors among PTB patients at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kenya. The research was conducted in the TB clinic at JOOTRH, utilizing a cross-sectional descriptive research design. Participants were sampled through purposive and convenience sampling methods . Purposive and convenience sampling methods were selected to achieve a balance between research relevance and practicality. Purposive sampling was employed to ensure the inclusion of patients actively living with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and undergoing treatment. This approach focuses on individuals most relevant to the study objectives, enabling a detailed examination of sociodemographic profiles and factors influencing health-seeking behaviour. By targeting this specific group, the study ensured that the data collected was both high-quality and contextually appropriate. Conversely, convenience sampling was used to enhance the study’s feasibility by including patients who were readily available during clinical visits. This method addressed practical constraints such as time, resource limitations, and accessibility, ensuring efficient data collection within the clinical setting. Combined, these sampling methods provided a practical yet focused strategy, making the research both achievable and directly aligned with its objectives. Data collection was performed using semi-structured questionnaires, with analysis conducted through descriptive statistics and Microsoft Excel.  The findings will guide key interventions to improve health-seeking behaviour, informing policy formulation and health education initiatives. A total of 58 respondents participated in the study, representing the complete census of patients who attended the clinic during August 2022, when the research was conducted.  The majority were aged 26-35 years (62.1%) and male (65.5%). Financial constraints were identified as a common barrier to seeking TB treatment (79.3%). While knowledge about TB was generally high, stigmatization remained prevalent. Analysis of the collected data revealed that distance to health facilities, financial constraints, and community perceptions of TB had a statistically significant influence on health-seeking behaviour. This study highlights that TB health-seeking behaviour and access to care are greatly hindered by unemployment and low income. Misconceptions about TB's incurability and transmission contribute to stigma and delayed care. Recommendations include enhancing health education, improving healthcare access, and addressing financial barriers through community outreach to destigmatize TB and promote early healthcare-seeking behaviour, particularly among vulnerable populations, to reduce transmission rates and improve outcomes.