Integrating Human Capability Approach in Gender on Health Seeking Behavior in Kenya

Dymphenia K. Otwori, Peter Gutwa Oino & Samson Barongo
School of Arts and Social Sciences
Department of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies
Kisii University. Kenya
Email: dkwambokac@gmail.com

Abstract: Globally, different models towards enhancing access to healthcare to all human populations have been implemented with varying degrees of success. However, studies on the effects of gender on health-seeking behavior, especially in a rural context, are limited. This paper focuses on how the human capability approach is integrated in gender and health seeking behavior among households in Marani sub-county, Kisii county Kenya. The Capability theory was adopted and the study employed a descriptive research design. The population for the study was household heads from which a sample was drawn.

Using Krejcie and Morgan sample determination, a total of 420 household heads were sampled. Random sampling was adopted to get the respondents to fill the questionnaires. The sample was drawn from a population of 26,186 households in Marani Sub-County. Quantitative data obtained from the field was analyzed using SPSS version 22. The study found that more women to a greater extent sought for healthcare than men did. However, the cost comes in to deter, delay and affect utilization of healthcare services. The study concludes that poor and disadvantaged households in regard to income, find it costly to access health facilities and are thus likely to utilize less effective healthcare sources. The study recommends that the government should embrace health-seeking programs with a gender lens in order to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.