The relationship between gender and cultural beliefs of malaria into typhoid progression among rural rice farmers in Central Kenya.

BACKGROUND

Women have an increased risk of contracting malaria in Kenya and the developing world because of gender roles and the cultural belief systems about disease progression and treatment. Cultural belief systems about illness progression have important implications for gender-based health intervention.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this research is to explore how rice farming Kikuyu ethnic group in the Mwea division of central Kenya cultural beliefs about malaria into typhoid progression. It also aims to examine the association between gender and malaria into typhoid progression cultural belief system.

DESIGN

The study employs cross-sectional study design (N=250). Variables related to demographic and cultural beliefs on malaria into typhoid progression were collected using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

More than 62% of women and 47% of men interviewed adhere to malaria into typhoid progression belief system. Multivariable logistic analysis shows women are more than twice as likely than men to believe in malaria into typhoid progression (aOR 2.15; 95% CI 1.21, 3.79, p < 0.009).

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates the underlying cultural factors related to the gender disparity in the appropriate knowledge on cultural belief system of malaria into typhoid progression which could influence the overall women's health outcomes in developing countries.