Utilization of trachoma eye care services in central division of Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate communities’ utilization of the available trachoma eye care services and the factors affecting utilization of these services. Community members aged eighteen and over participated. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Stratified and simple random sampling was used to select respondents and eleven eye care personnel purposively sampled. Study tools used were questionnaires, interview schedules and observational checklists. Data analysis was performed using Stata. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and corresponding percentages while the continuous variables were summarized as the median and the corresponding lower and upper quartiles. The association between categorical variables was assessed using the Pearson’s Chi Square test. Approval by Institution Research and Ethics Committee and informed consent from the study participants was sought. The results indicated that low (36%) utilization of trachoma eye care services. The only statistically significant factor affecting utilization of the services was the respondents’ gender. The main barriers affecting utilization of the eye care services were accessibility and affordability. The study concluded the need for intensive awareness campaigns in the region on the available eye care services and addressing the local barriers to uptake of these services through community participation in education and outreach services.