Observation and Analysis of Elderly Care in Migori, Kenya
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Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR® Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects Honors College at WKU Spring 5-16-2014 International Health and Aging: Observation and Analysis of Elderly Care in Migori, Kenya Amy Correll Western Kentucky University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses Recommended Citation Correll, Amy, "International Health and Aging: Observation and Analysis of Elderly Care in Migori, Kenya" (2014). Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 458. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/458 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND AGING: OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS OF ELDERLY CARE IN MIGORI, KENYA A Capstone Experience/Thesis Project Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Science with Honors College Graduate Distinction at Western Kentucky University By Amy E. Correll ***** Western Kentucky University 2014 CE/T Committee: Approved by Dana Burr Bradley Ph.D., Advisor Allen Redden M.D. ____________________ Advisor Derick Strode Center for Gerontology Copyright by Amy E. Correll 2014 ABSTRACT While generally respected in Kenya, elders are not primary recipients of health care services in later life. This research documented the need for geriatric specific care and the availability of resources for seniors in Migori, Kenya. Lastly, a set of 5 recommendations was developed to guide the delivery of health services provided to older residents in this small village sector of 6000. After a literature review and analysis of existing demographic data, a needs assessment instrument was developed to guide gathering of relevant data from Migori. Using a research protocol approved through the WKU IRB Committee, the Primary Investigator interviewed 20 elders and 3 key informants in August 2013 in Migori, Kenya. She performed referencing vital statistics checks (weight, blood pressure and nutritional assessment) and in depth interviews with the assistance of a translator. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the vital and nutrition profiles and narrative analysis was used to determine primary and secondary themes in respondents’ health lives. Because of the high prevalence of HIV Aids, many elders have lost their own children and are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Older Kenyans are chronically underweight, malnourished and at risk for many chronic diseases. This group of elders was no exception to norms. Issues of food availability and the constant caregiving strain meant that many elders face stark choices: feed their grandchildren or themselves. Personal ii health concerns were secondary and interviewees reported widespread discouragement from using what little formal health services existed. Keywords: Gerontology, Kenya, Rural Health, International Aging iii Dedicated to my beloved grandmothers iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all who have contributed to this project. Foremost, I am grateful for the countless hours of work and involvement offered by Dr. Dana Burr Bradley, my CE/T advisor. I am continuously inspired by her knowledge of gerontology and willingness to support my endeavors in this field. I would also like to thank the other members of my committee- Dr. Allen Redden and Derick Strode for their time and help in this effort. The opportunity to travel and conduct this project in Kenya was made possible entirely through generous financial contributions. I am particularly appreciative of the Honors College, Center for Gerontology, and Office of Scholar Development for this financial support. I also wish to state my appreciation for Kenya Impact director, Hellen Aoko for her willingness to host me throughout my stay and for her crucial role in the project data collection. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for their continual support. Specifically, I would like to thank Robert Hehre- PA for his shared passion for the people of Kenya and plans to partner with me in the implementation of the Migori Critical Care Foundation. v VITA March 26, 1992 .................................................. Born-Somerset, Kentucky 2008- 2010 ......................................................... Pulaski County High School, Somerset, Kentucky Spring 2012and 2013 ......................................... WKU Office of Scholar Development FUSE Research Grant Award Spring 2012 ........................................................ WKU Marketing Department “Face of WKU” Campaign Representative Fall 2012 ............................................................ St. Joseph Hospital, Migori Kenya Volunteer Medical Assistant Spring 2013 ........................................................ WKU Office of Scholar Development OIP Travel Abroad Award Spring 2013 ........................................................ WKU Honors College Jarve Endowment Summer 2013 ..................................................... AMOS Hope and Health, Nicaragua Community Health Volunteer Summer 2013 ..................................................... WKU College Heights Foundation Levi and Bertha Alexander Scholarship Spring 2014 ........................................................ Southern Gerontological Society Undergraduate Poster Award FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Honors Self Designed Studies- Geriatric Health Studies Minor Field: Gerontology vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract .......................................................................................................................... ii Dedication ...................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ v Vita ................................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................ viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................. ix Chapters: 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 2. Methodology ............................................................................................................ 11 3. Data .......................................................................................................................... 15 4. Results ...................................................................................................................... 38 5. Future Work ............................................................................................................. 41 6. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 54 References ...................................................................................................................... 58 Appendix ........................................................................................................................ 61 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1 Kenyan National Map .................................................................................................... 7 2 Location of Migori ......................................................................................................... 8 3 Age Demographics for Migori County .......................................................................... 10 4 Survey Results ............................................................................................................... 39 5 Facility Model ................................................................................................................ 43 6 Mobile Unit .................................................................................................................... 43 viii LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 Descriptive Information for Migori County. ................................................................. 8 2 Participant Demographics .............................................................................................. 40 3 Benefits Matrix .............................................................................................................. 45 ix CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Sometimes seeing things with one’s own eyes can bring a fresh perspective, new questions and even a life changing new direction. This is what happened to me during my first visit to Kenya in December 2012. I knew that the healthcare “system” was different from the United States and with this came different priorities for resources, different working relationships among health care providers and different acute and chronic diseases to address. What I did not expect to see was the lack of services available to older Kenyans. I chose to follow up on my first visit with a research project in August 2013, to assess conditions and learn more about the availability of geriatric services to elder women in a small rural village. This thesis explores my journey to gain a general understanding