Caregivers’ perceptions, health-seeking pathways and lived experiences for probable pneumonia among children under 5 years in Karemo, Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

My sincere gratitude goes to the Almighty God for the gift of life and good health. I am highly indebted to my supervisors Dr Charles Olang‘o and Prof Erick Nyambedha for intellectual insights, theoretical and practical guidance and unwavering support throughout my studies. From the conception and selection of the study topic, proposal development, data collection, analysis, and report writing, their mentorship ensured that I produced quality work. It is through their dedicated supervision and support which realized the mastery of the concepts addressed in this report. Their words of encouragement were the motivation that kept me going even when this work seemed challenging and unmanageable. I am grateful to Dr Nobert Peshu for his guidance and support during the initial stages of the PhD. My sincere appreciation goes to my CAFÉ SEA supervisor Dr Patience Kiyuka, for providing me with numerous learning opportunities, encouragement and administrative support. Special thanks to my mentor and friend Dr Dickens Omondi for your encouragement and constant belief in me. Your words of encouragement took me through the hardest parts of this PhD journey. I am equally grateful to Dr Victor Akelo for his invaluable support throughout this journey by allowing me to take time away from work periodically to focus on my studies. Your understanding and encouragement during the most challenging times made this possible. I would like to thank my research assistants Boletta Mileno and Teresa Olisa who worked tirelessly to ensure we produce high quality data. I am especially grateful to my sister, Boletta who doubled up as a research assistant and counsellor, your encouragement, prayers and presence lightened up my struggles. My sincere appreciation also goes to all the respondents and interviewees who graciously welcomed us into their homes, spent many days and hours with us, and patiently responded to our numerous questions.. The information they provided was a valuable aspect of this study. My dearest friends, Patience and Helen, thank you for your support, you have been my cheerleaders and my prayer partners, listening tirelessly to my stories of triumphs and challenges alike. My wins and losses became yours, and for that, I am forever indebted. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr Stephen Ombere who read through my drafts and provided substantial input. Your sacrifice and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated. I am forever grateful to the generous funding from the Capacity building for Female Scientists in East Africa CAFÉ SEA funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (PSIA2020-3073) using UK Aid from the UK Government to support global health research, as part of the EDCTP2 Programme supported by the European Union. I appreciate the CAFÉ SEA PhD program secretariat for providing me with numerous training opportunities, encouragement and consistent follow-up on my progress. This PhD wouldn‘t have been impossible without the generous support. My heartfelt thanks to Ms Rebecca Shambi and Ms Josephine Nassali, who on several occasions stepped out of their professional roles as administrators to provide guidance, encouragement and kindness. I am forever indebted for your support. Special thanks to Dominic, who has been there from my undergraduate years through to my PhD, allowing me the space and time to pursue higher education while balancing family life. Thank you for the support. To my children, David, Daniel and Debra, thank you for your understanding and patience through the long hours I spent away from you in pursuit of my academic dream. Your mama is deeply grateful. Thank you, David, for listening to my ideas and being the sounding board, I needed.