Description
As Kenya grapples with the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), informal caregivers, often family members have become vital actors in home-based care, yet remain largely unrecognised in national health strategies. While community engagement is emphasised in Primary Health Care (PHC), the specific role of caregivers in promoting NCD awareness, adherence, and early intervention is poorly documented, especially in low-resource settings.
This study investigates the experiences, roles, and needs of informal caregivers in NCD management to assess their potential as agents of community-based health promotion in Kenya. It aims to fill critical knowledge gaps around how caregivers contribute to or are excluded from NCD prevention strategies at the grassroots level.
The study draws on primary data from a survey conducted by the African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence for Non-Communicable Diseases (ARUA CoE for NCD), involving 517 caregivers of NCD patients across three counties in Kenya ; Muranga, Makueni and Vihiga. Quantitative data were complemented with qualitative interviews to understand caregiver involvement in health education, community mobilisation, and care continuity.
Preliminary findings show that 72% of caregivers are female and often provide daily support in medication adherence, dietary regulation, and hospital visits. However, 64% reported feeling excluded from formal health promotion activities, and 58% lacked adequate information on the NCDs they were managing. Despite these gaps, 76% expressed willingness to participate in structured community education programs if supported. Additionally, caregiver stress, lack of training, and minimal engagement by CHVs were cited as barriers to more active participation.
Informal caregivers are underutilised but potentially transformative actors in Kenya’s NCD response. Strengthening community engagement strategies should include caregiver training, psychosocial support, and integration into PHC teams. Recognising and empowering caregivers through participatory models could enhance not only household-level NCD outcomes but also broader community resilience and health system efficiency.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Research Institution |
| Received a Grant? | No |
