The re-emergence of tuberculosis among the economically productive age group in Kenya: the case of Mombasa district

Abstract

In this investigation 43 cases of smear positive patients undergoing TB treatment at satellite treatment centres situated within Mombasa municipality were observed and interviewed retrospectively. The span of the study was five months commencing from April 1997. The study was carried out in collaboration with the National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Programme at Port Reitz, Coast General and Ganjoni centres of infectious and contagious diseases in Mombasa district. The data seem to indicate that the highest number (97%) of persons affected by TB come from the economically productive age (15-50 years). The possible cause of recurrence of TB in Mombasa district is lifestyle. The majority of the people with sputum smear positive earn below the poverty line. They live in rented or overcrowded houses with inadequate ventilation, insufficient sanitary and transport facilities and poor health systems. In addition, there is a general lack of awareness of dangers of infection, spread and prevention of TB. Areas warranting closer attention by future research are highlighted in the study.


African Journal of Social Work Vol.18(2) 2003: 121-132