Gendered Cultural Logics of Pandemic Response: Elderly Knowledge Systems and COVID-19 Preventive Practices in Kenya

Abstract

This study explores gendered cultural preventive beliefs, values, and norms practiced among elderly populations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kakamega County, Kenya, focusing on Malava and Matungu sub-counties, which have a high concentration of older persons. Guided by cultural resilience and gendered health behavior theories, the study employed a cross-sectional design, surveying 363 elderly respondents aged 60 years and above, complemented by qualitative narratives and desk review of relevant literature. Findings reveal that the elderly drew upon indigenous healing systems, moralized hygiene, and faith-based practices to interpret and respond to the pandemic. Women mobilized care-centered ethics through domestic hygiene, herbal remedies, and intergenerational health mentorship, while men often embodied stoic and autonomous dispositions reflecting hegemonic masculinity. Rituals such as prayers, ancestral offerings, and symbolic purification were adapted to promote both spiritual reassurance and collective resilience. The study concludes that COVID 19 responses among the elderly were culturally mediated, reflecting dynamic adaptation rather than static tradition. Gendered cultural logics provided psychosocial coping and reinforced communal solidarity. Recognizing such indigenous epistemologies within public health systems can enhance trust, sustainability, and local ownership of health interventions. The findings underscore the need for culturally grounded and gender-sensitive approaches to pandemic preparedness and health communication.