Assessment of Socio Demographic Characteristics on Uptake of Tuberculosis Screening by Community Members in Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The trend in tuberculosis in Kenya is worrying. TB is the fourth leading cause of death. In 2015 81,518 cases of TB were identified and treated. The Kenya prevalence survey of 2015-2016 found that estimated prevalence is 558/100,000 way above the WHO estimate of 233/100,000. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of socio- demographics characteristics on tuberculosis screening among community members in Tigania East of Meru County. The study design used was cross-sectional survey and targeted 440 household drawn from the five wards randomly and proportionately selected. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS version 26. The study found out that there were statistically significant association between TB screening and religion (X² =13.103, df 3; p value=0.004,), monthly income (X² =14.970, df 6; p value=0.020. The study concluded that religion and monthly income of community members of Tigania East were associated with TB screening.

Keywords; Socio demographic, Uptake of TB screening, Community members.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-22-05

Publication date: November 30^th 2020