Social factors that affect the health of women and children : A case study of Narok County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate social factors affecting the health of women and children. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The objectives were to determine the common social factors that influences the health of mothers and children, to assess the extent to which these factors have affected the health of mothers and children, to determine why these factors continue to affect the health of mothers and children and to determine the measures of coping with the social factor issues affecting the health of mothers and children. The study employed focus group discussion, semi-structured interview and see, Judge and Act too. The study used questionnaires to collect data from women and nurses. Data was analyzed by use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. The findings show that social factors such as female genital mutilation, early marriages, domestic violence, moranism and practices of Esoto has greatly affect the health of women and children for example FGM causes over bleeding, fistula, complications during birth and others. The study concludes that social factors should be modified within the Maasai culture so as to minimize its effects. The researcher recommended that the County government and well wishers should; improve education system, fight against Esoto, implementing Human Rights, Law Enforcement, capacity building for law enforcers, keeping girls in school and conducting young girl’s alternative rite of passage.