Machakos Project Studies. Agents affecting health of mother and child in a rural area of Kenya. XX. a dynamic approach to the utilization of health services in a rural area of Machakos, Kenya
Swinkels, W.J.; Schulpen, T.W.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine 32(4): 350-357
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-3232 PMID: 7210176 Document Number: 265007
Utilization of health services can be considered as a longitudinal process, in which individuals on having complaints make a choice between various health improving activities. This approach, employing a method described by Grundy and Reinke (1973) is used to analyse results of a survey on health services utilization in Machakos district, Kenya. Transition matrices for the population as a whole and for males, females and under-fives could be constructed. Differences in health improving behaviour between males and females, over- and underfives were found. Self medication and taking no action on a complaint were found to be important options for the study population. A distinct path through the health services by members of the population emerges. A indicator of effectiveness of different types of services is tentatively applied.