HIV Health Seeking Behaviour Patterns: Perspectives of Male Boda-Boda Operators in Homa-Bay County, Kenya
Author: Omolo Winnie Akinyi (MA) and Wilson A.P. Otengah (Ph.D), Kenya
Abstract: The mobility of the transport sector makes it difficult to access health information and treatment and/or maintain a drug regimen. Generally, population record low levels of service utilization. The study adopted three theories, key among the theories was theory of reasoned action due to the fact that it sees a person’s behavior as an intention which is a function of one’s attitude towards behavior and their subjective norm. This was a mixed methods descriptive crosssectional study. The study targeted male boda-boda operators who were aged between 20-40 years. The sample size for the study was 122. In the thematic analysis health seeking behavour among boda-boda operators is influenced by a number of factors ranging from facility factors, individual factors to provider factors. Individual boda-boda operators have their own preferences for services and where they would like to get treatment including acquisition of services. Stigma and discrimination around HIV is still a very strong correlate to use of services including testing. Provider factors such in which the operators fear that their HIV status and treatment cycles would be known to other people act as a deterrent to services acquisition. 37.7% of the operators were critical to the fact that confidentiality was a key factor in facilitation of service utilization while 62.3% indicated that they preferred closer Health facilities. Time was also critical to seeking for health services. The study recommends to the National government through NACC to increase knowledge levels on HIV/AIDS and importance of adherence.