Factors that influence choice of healthcare provider options for malaria in mwea irrigation scheme

This paper discusses the factors that influence the choice of health care provider for malaria illness based on a study of Mwea Irrigation Scheme. The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in four-phases that utilized both qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection and analysis. Among the individuals utilizing government health facility during the health facility based exit interviews, 39.7% and 45.2% cited the cost of service and perceived quality respectively as the factors considered when choosing the facility. The study findings reported that non-medical factors are significant when choices to utilize formal health services are considered. Medical cost, perceived quality of care, distance and geographical location were all-important when choices to utilize health services delivery facilities were made, the study findings emphasize the importance of improving the quality of care in all health care options. It is also important to monitor quality control on the standards in all health facilities. The study recommended an urgent need to improve patient-provider interaction, and perceived quality of care to positively influence the decision-making dynamics.