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

Abstract

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