Factors associated with the utilization of health care services

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. The clinical manifestations of LF are elephantiasis, hydrocoele and acute filarial fever. The disease causes considerable morbidity to the affected individuals with consequent loss of income and social and psychological stress. Elephantiasis has enormous impact on individuals, families and communities in terms of disease burden, loss of productivity, the aggravation of poverty and high cost of long term care. It causes disfigurement and disability leading to stigma and social discrimination. The main objective of this study was to determine factors associated with the utilization of health care services among patients with chronic lymphatic filariasis in Goshi location. A cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative method of data collection was conducted. 220 patients with obvious chronic LF signs were purposively sampled from all 5 sub-locations in Goshi location for Qualitative data. 18 Opinion Leaders and 4 Focus Group Discussions were held with purposively selected Participants for qualitative data.