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NAIROBI: A new report has revealed more men compared to women would rather self-medicate than visit an accredited health facility.
According to the 2015 Kenya Stepwise survey, compared to women at 6.5 per cent, 14 per cent of men between the age of 18 and 69 prefer over the counter medicine for their treatment.
Some 0.4 per cent of men would rather go for therapies or use traditional herbs compared to women 0.3 per cent.
Only 58.2 per cent of men have sought help in level one to three hospitals compared to women 64 per cent; 27.4 per cent of men have visited level four and five hospitals against 29 per cent of women. Just 0.1 per cent of both genders have visited level six hospitals.
"Overall, 61 per cent of the patients seek health care at level one, two and three health facilities. Twenty eight per cent go to level four, five and six-hospitals while ten percent self-medicate or use over the counter medicines," reads the report.
Self-mediation was high in men between the age of 18 and 29 at 15 per cent compared to women 5.7 per cent.
The survey on non-communicable diseases sought to determine prevalence of lifestyle diseases and how often do those diagnosed seek medical attention.
Of those diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus only 16.8 per cent of men are on medication compared to 56.5 per cent of women.
"There was a marked variation in current medication use between women (57 percent) and men (17 per cent) while those age 30-44 years reported the highest current use (67 percent)," the report read in part.
Of both genders diagnosed with the elevated blood sugar levels disease less than half (40 percent) were currently taking medication.
For those suffering from high blood pressure, only 18 per cent of men are currently on medication prescribed by a doctor compared to women 24.1 per cent. Generally, only 22 per cent of those diagnosed with blood pressure do actually seek treatment.
Among the respondents on treatment for hypertension, one per cent were currently taking herbal or traditional remedy: "Six percent of men age 60-69 were currently taking herbal or traditional remedy compared with 3 percent of women in the same age group."
Also, only 7.9 per cent of men do visit the dentist compared to women 13.1 per cent.
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