User:Makayladonald1/Health in Kenya

Ethnicity in Relation to Kenya's Health Status
Kenya has a diverse population with upwards of 42 ethnic groups and subgroups, see (Demographics of Kenya). The most prominent groups are the Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, and Kamba. The differences in language and culture that come with this extensively diverse population have been coupled with ethnic conflict and favoritism Much of this conflict is rooted in the search for political power as there is a common belief that political power held by the ethnic majority preludes to influence throughout other facets of society. Many researchers argue that political leaders in power will distribute resources to their co-ethnic voters because of their ethnic identity. There are confounding theories that examine the ways in which leaders will or will not achieve this feat, but the overall theory linking ethnic identity with more/better remains the same. In general, researchers have found that an uneven distribution of resources has caused an imbalance of resources and underdevelopment of some regions in the country. Healthcare as a public resource in Kenya is impacted by ethnic favoritism, as those who share co-ethnics with the political leader in power have more opportunities to access said resource due to social inequality. In addition, data shows that ethnicity can impact communication between patients and healthcare providers and a person's overall sense of wellness.

Distribution of Healthcare as a Public Good
Since its independence, Kenya had a highly centralized government that is partially responsible for distributing healthcare resources. Recently, the country implemented a new system in place that requires individual counties to be responsible for the distribution of resources while the national government maintains responsibility for overseeing hospitals and capacity buildings. Much of Kenya’s issues in health inequity can be attributed to economic disadvantages and high poverty levels. In places where healthcare institutions exist, data shows that many individuals do not use them and it was reported that those who live in more affluent urban areas are more likely to report their ills than those who live in rural areas. Hospitals that are overseen by the government are more likely to be found in non-rural regions. This problem has been shown to negatively affect ethnic groups like the Maasai community who rely on the land for their livelihood and are distanced from the urban areas in the country. The benefits of ethnic favoritism also tend to be targeted more toward regions composed of particular ethnic groups rather than specific individuals. Those who live in the targeted regions are more likely to have better access to healthcare.

Interpersonal Interactions in Healthcare
The two officially recognized languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. Swahili is spoken by about two-thirds of the population, and English is heavily used and taught. Both of these languages are the ones primarily used on government documents or for professional interactions, including healthcare visits. There are several Kenyans who primarily speak their native or regional language in addition to the two national languages. However, those who do not speak the official language may be limited in their access to civil goods. Previous research has shown that the language barriers between patients and doctors can deter patients from accessing healthcare in their communities. Survey accounts report that several patients may feel uncomfortable seeing a doctor from a differing ethnic group because of the difference in language, different style of communication, or perceived bias. However several Kenyans have also shared that they prefer going to professionals from differing ethnic groups to protect their privacy.

Social Capital and Health
Social capital is the perceived agency that someone has in terms of what benefits they can receive from their individual communities and society as a whole. A person's social capital can be influenced by their ethnic identity and how much perceived and literal power they have in relation to the power that their group has. Ethnic favoritism that leads to higher levels of social inequality can be mediated with increased social capital for disadvantaged groups of people. In Kenya, it has been found that increased social capital has a positive correlation with decreased anxiety, stress, and overall health. Social capital, in general, has been shown to foster feelings of trust and reciprocity among individuals in their communities. However, there is also some data to show that social capital within a community can cause anxiety and worry, this is more prominent in communities that rely on each other for resources.