Socio-Demographic Predictors of Healthcare Quality for Epilepsy Patients in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos, Kenya DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v37i2.3

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Tiberry D.O. Nyakwana
Simon Karanja
John Gachohi

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a neurologic condition that accounts for 1% of the global disease burden. If diagnosed and treated early, 70% of the cases can achieve seizure remission. Mass sensitization around the Nairobi metropolis since 2010 has increased the number of patients seeking treatment in local facilities. Nevertheless, those on treatment still suffer epilepsy-led injuries. There is a paucity of data on quality of care, and studies have not documented its socio-demographic predictors. This study aimed to determine predictors of quality of care for clients at the selected hospitals in the Nairobi metropolis and its environs (Kiambu and Machakos counties).


METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between May and September 2021 in selected level-five hospitals in three counties in Kenya, namely Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos. Quantitative data were collected from 373 sampled epilepsy patients using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using chi-square, logistic and multiple linear regression analyses. The statistical significance of the relationship between the variables was tested using 2 with a level of significance fixed at 0.05.


RESULTS: Quality of care ratings varied by age, with the 0–5 age group rating care highest, and the 19–28 and 50+ age groups rating it lower. Gender did not significantly influence care ratings, while occupation was significantly associated with higher ratings (χ²=22, df=2, P=0.000).


CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Different views on care quality suggest that a single approach may not work well for all epilepsy patients. Occupation was identified as the primary sociodemographic predictor in how people rated the quality of their healthcare. Training healthcare staff to consistently show courtesy and respect to all epilepsy patients is essential. Further longitudinal studies are required to monitor fluctuations across different age groups

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Socio-Demographic Predictors of Healthcare Quality for Epilepsy Patients in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos, Kenya: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v37i2.3. (2024). African Journal of Health Sciences, 37(2). https://ojs.ajhsjournal.or.ke/index.php/home/article/view/446
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How to Cite

Socio-Demographic Predictors of Healthcare Quality for Epilepsy Patients in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos, Kenya: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v37i2.3. (2024). African Journal of Health Sciences, 37(2). https://ojs.ajhsjournal.or.ke/index.php/home/article/view/446