Factors Influencing Uptake of Oncology Specialized Health Care Services in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, absence or poor access for oncology services has escalated the total national mortality rate in Kenya. Despite numerous studies on the increased prevalence and incidence of cancers, there is insufficient empirical literature explaining the factors influencing the increased absence or poor of access to oncology tertiary healthcare services in Uasin Gishu County, a research gap filled by this study. This study determined factors influencing access to oncology specialized healthcare services among patients in Uasin Gishu. Using descriptive research design, the study employed a census survey on population of 142 screened oncology patients in the 18 level 3 and 4 facilities in Uasin Gishu County. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and then inferential analysis with results presented in form of tables and figures. The data was analysed with assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22.0. The study reveals that at 0.05 (5%) level of significance, there exists a significant relationship between each of; affordability of oncology services, location of oncology services, acceptability of oncology services, and availability of oncology specialized healthcare services and uptake of oncology specialized healthcare services in Uasin Gishu County. The study recommends that since health is a devolved function, the county government of Uasin Gishu should seek to provide affordable oncology services through establishment of a strategy for low income oncology patients and stakeholder participations.