Household characteristics as predictors of access to paediatric malaria treatment in Homa-Bay County, Kenya

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of socioeconomic household characteristics on access to paediatric malaria treatment in Homa Bay County, Kenya. RESULTS: From univariate analysis, treatment with analgesics only in a community health center or a faith-based organization, self-employment, urban residence and residing in a sub-county other than Suba or Mbita showed significant association with access to paediatric antimalarial treatment. However, on multivariate analysis, urban residence, education, income of 10,000 to 30,000 and information from peers were the most statistically significant predictors of access to treatment. Urban households were 0.37 times more likely to access treatment than rural ones. Having primary, secondary or post-secondary education conferred 0.25, 0.14 and 0.28 higher chance of access to paediatric malaria treatment respectively compared to those with no formal education. Those with monthly income levels of 10,000 to 30,000 shillings had 0.32 higher chance of accessing treatment compared to those with less than 5000 shillings.