The Role of Participatory Learning and Action on Strengthening the Different Domains of Empowerment on Self-medication with Antimicrobials in Nyalenda Informal Settlement, Kisumu County, Kenya

Self-medication with antimicrobials (SMWA) is a common global practice. Studies in Nyalenda B Ward, an informal settlement in western Kenya, found that significant households (76.6%) perceived the practice of SMWA as convenient and appropriate. The rationale of the current study was in response to unsolved self-mediation practice through functional health literacy in such set-ups. This study used Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) as a tool and assessed its role on strengthening the different domains of empowerment on SMWA. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and data was collected from 1531 PLA trainees through focused group discussions and structured questionnaires. Results revealed that reasons for SMWA are ignorance and easier accessibility. Logistic regression analyses with a statistical significance tested at p≤0.05 established the association between PLA domains and all empowerment domains revealed that flexible learning and listening increase power within by 5 times (OR=5.361, 95% CI=3.101-9.268, P<0.0001), power with by 6 times (OR=6.160, 95% CI=3.437-11.39, P<0.00010) and power over by 2 times (OR=2.261, 95% CI=1.293-3.954, P<0.0001). Participatory evaluation may increase power within by almost 8 times (OR=7.711, 95% CI=5.184-11.459, P<0.0001), power with by 5 times (OR=5.012, 95% CI=3.375-7.443, P<0.0001), and power over by more than 3 times (OR=3.618, 95% CI=2,375-5,509, P<0.0001). Participatory interaction may increase power within by almost 8 times (OR=7.823, 95% CI=4.798-12.763, P<0.0001), power with by over 8 times (OR=8.610, 95% CI=4.987-14.866, P<0.0001.), power over by 4 times (OR=4.003, 95%CI=2.325-6.693, P<0.0001). PLA proved to be a useful tool for strengthening all domains of empowerment and integrated functions that prompted broader social connections.