Intra-Household Differences in Health Seeking Behaviour for Orphans and Non-Orphans in an NGO-Supported and Non-Supported Subcounty of Luwero, Uganda
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Health Sciences
Abstract
Comparing healthcare dynamics among orphans and non-orphans in an NGO supported and a non-supported subcounty
so as to identify the level of equity.This was a cross-sectional unmatched case-control research. A sample of 98 orphans and 98 non-orphans in an NGO supported sub-county and a similar number in a control sub-county participated. For each child, a corresponding caregiver participated. Each respondent was interviewed. Analysis was comparative. Relationships between variables were ascertained using a X2.Fevers were the most common health problem. However, 14.3% of children reported an experience of diarrhoea in an NGO-supported sub-county as opposed to 85.7% in the control sub-county (p = 0.014). Twenty percent of children in the NGO supported sub-county reported skin infections compared to 80% in the control sub-county [p= 0.008]. When orphans fell sick, more caregivers in the supported sub-county consulted village clinics compared to self herbal-medication (p = 0.009). Majority of orphan caregivers compared to those for non-orphans in the control sub-county took their children to village clinics as opposed to health
centres (p = 0.002). In the control sub-county, fewer caregivers responded to children’s illness by buying medicines from drug-shops as opposed to taking them to village clinics [(p = 0.040).There were some differences between orphans and non-orphans within each sub-county and between orphans in the two sub-counties. NGO support is critical in cultivating equity, compassion and non-discrimination. The extended family system in Africa was managing orphan care although it displayed cracks in support systems.
Description
Keywords
Orphans, caregivers, health seeking behaviour, Uganda, discrimination, NGO support
Citation
Muhwezi, W. W., Muhangi, D., & Mugumya, F. (2009). Intra-household differences in health seeking behaviour for orphans and non-orphans in an NGO-supported and non-supported subcounty of Luwero, Uganda. African Health Sciences, 9(2).