The impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on health and wellbeing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A case study of Kenya

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Feb 11;15(2):e0009131. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009131. eCollection 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) remain endemic to many regions of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) left behind by socioeconomic progress. As such, these diseases are markers of extreme poverty and inequity that are propagated by the political, economic, social, and cultural systems that affect health and wellbeing. As countries embrace and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the needs of such vulnerable populations need to be addressed in local and global arenas. The research uses primary qualitative data collected from five NTD endemic counties of Kenya: interviews key informants (n = 21) involved in NTD implementation programs and focus groups (n = 5) of affected individuals. Informed by theories of political ecology of health, the research focuses on post-devolution Kenya and identifies the political, economic, social, and cultural factors that propagate NTDs and their effects on health and wellbeing. Our findings indicate that structural factors such as competing political interests, health worker strikes, inadequate budgetary allocations, economic opportunity, marginalization, illiteracy, entrenched cultural norms and practices, poor access to water, sanitation and housing, all serve to propagate NTD transmission and subsequently affect the health and wellbeing of populations. As such, we recommend that post-devolution Kenya ensures local political, economic and socio-cultural structures are equitable, sensitive and responsive to the needs of all people. We also propose poverty alleviation through capacity building and empowerment as a means of tackling NTDs for sustained economic opportunity and productivity at the local and national level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neglected Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Politics
  • Poverty
  • Risk Factors
  • Sanitation
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Tropical Medicine*
  • Water
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Water

Grants and funding

We would like to thank the Queen Elizabeth scholarship Program and the David Johnston International Experience Award for the funding support. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.