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. 2014 Feb;59(1):189-96.
doi: 10.1007/s00038-013-0511-0. Epub 2013 Sep 21.

Overcoming the perceived barriers to health care access among single mothers in coastal Kenya

J J Cohen  1 , M Blevins, A Mapenzi, L Reppart, J Reppart, R Mainthia, C W Wester
Affiliations

Overcoming the perceived barriers to health care access among single mothers in coastal Kenya

J J Cohen et al. Int J Public Health. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: This study assesses the effects of a comprehensive empowerment intervention on barriers to health care access for single mothers in coastal Kenya.

Methods: We surveyed 41 single mothers who completed a pilot empowerment program and 60 single mothers who had not yet initiated the program. Comparisons were made using bivariate tests of association and logistic regression.

Results: Women in the pilot program were less likely to report transportation costs (OR = 0.26; 95 % CI [0.11-0.59], p = 0.001) and hospital fees (OR = 0.22 [0.10-0.49], p < 0.001) as barriers. Pilot program mothers were more likely to visit a public hospital for their children (OR = 4.38; [1.58-12.1], p = 0.004) and self (OR = 4.70; [1.54-14.4], p = 0.007) when ill.

Conclusions: Empowerment programs can alleviate perceived barriers to health care among vulnerable populations.

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