Existing Structures That Support Community Initiatives towards Addressing The Social Determinants of Health of Vulnerable Children

Juliana Achieng’ Misore; Alloys Orago Wilson Otengah

Abstract

Background: Community Initiatives are essential in support of vulnerable children to access healthcare, food, reasonable housing, education, income clean safe water and environment known as socialdeterminants of health. Weak structures for coordination, collaboration of social determinantsincreasing vulnerability amongst children in Suba sub county. This study explores existing structuressupporting community initiatives towards care of vulnerable children. Method: Descriptive crosssectional survey design was applied to investigate the problem qualitative and quantitative approachesused. Quantitative data collection was done through a structured questionnaire administered.Qualitative research used focus group discussion, Key Informant Interviews. Descriptive statistics wereused to analyse quantitative data, qualitative data were thematically analyzed and used to complementquantitative data. Results: About 67% (n=439) were not satisfied with the existing structure citing nolinkage collaboration and coordination amongst sectors and households to identify social determinantsof health affecting vulnerable children, households and communities. Conclusions: The biomedicalmodel is dominant, there are no system in place to assess, diagnosis household and communities tofacilitate appropriate planning, coordination and implementation towards social determinants ofhealth. There is need to strengthen the utilization of community health nursing model.