Demographics and Care-Seeking Behaviors of Sexual Violence Survivors in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan A. Bartels ◽  
Jennifer A. Scott ◽  
Jennifer Leaning ◽  
Jocelyn T. Kelly ◽  
Nina R. Joyce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACTObjectives: One of the most striking features of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the use of sexual violence. In spite of the brutality of these crimes, the experiences of women affected by sexual violence in Eastern DRC remain poorly characterized. This analysis aimed to (1) provide detailed demographics of sexual violence survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital; (2) examine how demographic factors might impact patterns of sexual violence; and (3) describe care-seeking behavior among sexual violence survivors.Methods: The demographics and care-seeking behavior of sexual violence survivors in South Kivu Province were described from a retrospective registry-based study of sexual violence survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital (2004-2008).Results: A total of 4311 records were reviewed. The mean age of survivors was 35 years. Most women (53%) were married, self-identified with the Bashi tribe (65%), and reported agriculture as their livelihood (74%). The mean time delay between sexual assault and seeking care was 10.4 months. Five reasons were identified to help explain the lengthy delays to seeking care: waiting for physical symptoms to develop or worsen before seeking medical attention, lack of means to access medical care, concerns that family would find out about the sexual assault, stigma surrounding sexual violence, and being abducted into sexual slavery for prolonged periods of time.Conclusions: Many sexual assault survivors have very delayed presentations to medical attention. Promoting timely access of medical care may best be facilitated by reducing stigma and by educating women about the benefits of early medical care, even in the absence of injuries or symptoms.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:393-401)

scholarly journals Care-Seeking Behavior by Survivors of Sexual Assault in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 1054-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara E. Casey ◽  
Meghan C. Gallagher ◽  
Babou Rukengeza Makanda ◽  
Janet L. Meyers ◽  
Mereia Cano Vinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

The Search for Medical Care: An Exploration of Urban Black Behavior

1978 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary W. Shannon ◽  
Rashid L. Bashshur ◽  
Carl W. Spurlock
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
District Of Columbia ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Predominantly Black ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Middle Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Varied Distribution ◽  
Middle Status

Results are presented of a study of the medical care-seeking behavior of black adult residents of lower and middle socioeconomic status in two predominantly black, yet geographically and socioeconomically distinct communities within the District of Columbia. Against a varied distribution of primary medical care opportunities within the District, substantial differences are demonstrated in their use by lower- and middle-status residents of a lower-class community. These differences are not, however, manifested among lower- and middle-status residents of an essentially middle-class neighborhood. The patterns of medical care-seeking behavior are observed within a framework of an almost total avoidance of the available medical care personnel and facilities in the proximate suburbs.

Gynecological Problems of Postmenopausal Women and Their Health Care-Seeking Behavior in Rural Community

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-138
Author(s):  
Husneara Begum ◽  
Riffat Rahim
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Health Care Seeking Behavior

Background: Gynecological problems and health care-seeking behavior of postmenopausal women vary among populations and societies. Few data are available about times and types of gynecological problems of postmenopausal women and health care-seeking behavior, socio-demographic and reproductive factors among rural women of Bangladesh.Objectives: The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of gynecological problems, to identify socio-demographic factors and to identify the health care seeking-behavior of rural postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in women aged 50−70 years. A purposive sampling technique was used to retrieve data from 252 postmenopausal women from 3 villages of Savar Upazilla of Dhaka, Bangladesh.Results: The mean age of our study population was 57.27 ± 6.08 years, and the mean menopausal age was 48.20 ± 3.226 years. Regarding prevalence of gynecological problems, 28% had vaginal dryness, 5% had per vaginal bleeding, 9% had urinary problems, and 4% had something coming down per vagina. For primary treatment, 43% went to pharmacy, 29% went to private chamber or private clinic, and only 22% went to government hospitals for their general health problems. Some significant association was found between age of marriage, number of fertility and gynecological problems.Conclusion: Further studies are needed with a larger sample size to identify different life style, diet, and socio-cultural characteristics and to better understand the health care-seeking behavior of women of rural communities.J Enam Med Col 2018; 8(3): 135-138

scholarly journals Spatial analysis of care-seeking behavior among malaria patients in China’s Malaria Eradication Program: A Geographic Information System Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Li ◽  
Donglan Zhang ◽  
Zhuo Chen ◽  
Da Feng ◽  
Xiaoyu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
Western China ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Eradication Program ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals ◽  
Malaria Eradication ◽  
Health Institutions

Abstract Background: China launched a new round of National Malaria Eradication Program (NMEP) in 2010 that sets the goal to eliminate malaria by 2020, while it has been challenged by the large-scale frequent population migration. To assess the influence of geographic mobility of population on the epidemiology of malaria, we conducted a comprehensive study about the care-seeking behavior among malaria patients. Methods: The malaria cases were identified within a national database from the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. All health institutions and facilities reported malaria patient records during the period from January 2014 to December 2016. Overall 1633 malaria patients were selected in six provinces located in eastern, central and western China that saw most severe malaria epidemic using stratified sampling. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to investigate the distribution of malaria patients in various medical institutions, and the chi-square test was used to compare the cross-regional visit rates of different types of hospitals. Colored maps were drawn to visualize the spatial distribution of hospitals and spatial flow of malaria patients by using the ArcGIS software. Results: The proportions of malaria patients who sought medical care in general hospitals, township hospitals, and professional public health institutions were 81.7%, 14.7% and 3.6%, respectively. For those who visited hospitals, the percentages who chose provincial, prefecture-level and county-level hospitals for malaria treatment were 17.4%, 60.5% and 22.1%, correspondingly; the proportions of malaria patients who sought medical care in tertiary hospitals, secondary hospitals, and primary hospitals were 59.8%, 39.9% and 0.3%, respectively. Moreover, the proportions of inter-provincial, inter-city and inter-county patients were 3.9%, 82.4% and 80.2%, respectively. In addition, we also found that the percentage of malaria patients who sought treatment in designated hospitals was high. Conclusion: With the implementation of National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), malaria patients tended to seek medical care in designate tertiary hospitals, and slightly more than half of patients could be treated in health institutions and facilities in prefectural area. In the post-stage of malaria elimination, it is necessary to establish prompt response grassroots hospitals to refer malaria patients to designated malaria treatment hospitals.

Relationship Between Parenting Stress and Concerns Identified by Developmental Screening and Their Effects on Parental Medical Care—Seeking Behavior

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Voigt ◽  
Shirley K. Johnson ◽  
Michael W. Mellon ◽  
Andrew H. Hashikawa ◽  
Lynnelle J. Campeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Developmental Screening ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

scholarly journals (P1-85) Health Seeking Behavior Post-Unintentional Household Injury in Hong Kong

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s126-s126
Author(s):  
E.Y.Y. Chan ◽  
P.P.Y. Lee ◽  
J.M.S. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Seeking Behavior

BackgroundUnintentional household injuries are a major public health problem that affects large numbers of people. Various population-based surveys from the literature showed > 40% of households reporting an injury that required medical attention. However, there is a general lack in comprehensive population surveys to highlight the risk of post-injury, help-seeking behavior and its associated financial cost. This study is part of the urban, home-based injury epidemiological study series (2007–2010) in Hong Kong.MethodsA population-based, cross-sectional, random telephone survey was conducted using the last birthday method in 2009. A study instrument was developed and validated based on the modified Chinese World Health Organization guidelines for injury and violence surveys.ResultsThe study population comprised of non-institutionalized, Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents (n = 6,570). Among the 39.4% self-reported injuries within the past 12 months, only 8.6% of injured people had sought medical care. Respondents tended to seek medical care from the private setting in the first episode of post-injury treatment. Among health seekers, 70% of the injured participants reported having to seek a second treatment and the care-seeking pattern shifted from private to public medical service delivery setting. Predictors of service preferences were identified and discussed.ConclusionsMedical care seeking patterns post-unintentional household injury was identified. Medical and emergency services providers may wish to consider health service implications.

Determinants of patient’s decision-making in seeking care when experiencing stroke-associated warning signs

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadeq AL-Fayyadh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Stroke strikes millions of people worldwide.  It is categorized as one of the most alarming Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCCDs) because of links to long-lasting disability or death.  From the literature, it is known that a stroke patient’s decision of seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms occur is connected with better clinical outcome. A descriptive phenomenological design explored 12 post-stroke survivors’ experiences of their decisions to seek or delay care within the first three hours of symptom onset.  Three themes emerged:  Hindering Factors, Motivating Factors, and Stroke of Luck.  Hindering Factors and Motivating Factors depicted core variables that either hampered or motivated health care seeking behaviors.  The third theme, Stroke of Luck, highlighted the multi-dimensional impact of the stroke experience on survivors’ life choices.  Results from this study support expanded initiatives to educate the public on stroke symptoms through media platforms.  Keywords: Stroke; health care seeking behavior; post-stroke survivors’ experience.

scholarly journals Medical Care-seeking Patterns Among Women with Diagnoses Associated with Menstrual Syndromes: A Longitudinal Population-based Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Long Guo ◽  
Tzu Chi Lee ◽  
Hsiao Pei Hsu ◽  
Chiu Mieh Huang
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Abstract Background: This study aimed to explore women’s tendency to seek Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or Western Medicine when newly diagnosed with menstrual syndromes, and to identify factors associated with their medical care-seeking behavior. Methods: Women aged 15 to 50 years with newly diagnosed menstrual syndromes were selected from Taiwan’s 2005 National Health Insurance Database. Follow-up was divided into 10 time-periods (1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-30, 31-36, 37-42, 43-48, 49-54 and 55-60 months) after patients’ first visits for obstetric/gynecologic care. Patients’ tendency for medical care utilization was estimated using Poisson regression. Unadjusted and adjusted relative risks and their 95 % confidence intervals were calculated.Results: The number of Traditional Chinese Medicine utilization was 0.69, and Western Medicine utilization was 1.75 within six months after the first menstrual syndrome diagnosis. The tendency for Traditional Chinese Medicine utilization increased as follow-up time increased after controlling for potential confounders, while Western medicine utilization decreased gradually as follow-up time increased. Women’s age, economic status, infertility, value of prevention, baby delivery and Obstetric/ Gynecologic inpatient histories were significantly associated with their medical care-seeking behavior.Conclusions: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine medical care-seeking patterns are significantly different among women with diagnoses associated with menstrual syndromes. Related factors affecting Medical care-seeking behavior have been explored in this study.

scholarly journals Trends in sexual violence patterns and case management: a sex disaggregated analysis in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Paluku Lussy ◽  
Annie Dube ◽  
Jonathan Kasereka M. Lusi ◽  
Aurélien Mahamba Kikoli ◽  
Eugénie Kamabu Mukekulu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Prophylactic Antibiotics ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Female Survivors ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Background Both conflict and non-conflict sexual violence have been well described in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, there is little empiric data comparing sexual violence patterns for males and females in the DRC, and little is known about how post-sexual assault care experiences may differ between the two sexes. Methods This was a retrospective, registry-based study at HEAL Africa Hospital. Researchers extracted and analyzed available data for all patients seeking post-sexual assault care between July 2013 and December 2017. Comparative analysis was conducted using SAS to document patterns of sexual violence among male and female survivors and to describe the clinical management of males and females seeking post-assault care. Results Between July 2013 and December 2017, the hospital provided post-sexual assault care to 1766 patients (1623 female and 93 male). Female survivors were more likely to be minors under the age 18 (p < 0.0001) with a mean age 16.5 years versus 22.3 years for males. For both sexes, approximately half of all perpetrators were civilians who were known to the survivor (friends, family members, colleagues or neighbors). After sexual assault, males (79.6%) were more likely than females (55.7%) to present to the hospital within 72 h (p-value < 0.0001). Among female patients, 12% had a positive pregnancy test at the time of presentation and another 43% received emergency contraception. Male survivors were more likely to test positive for HIV (p-value = 0.0032) and to receive HIV post-exposure prophylaxis as well as prophylactic antibiotics (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusions In this single-centre registry, non-conflict-related sexual violence affected both women and girls as well as men and boys in North Kivu with civilian-perpetrated assaults being most common, and girls under the age of 18 being disproportionately affected. Overall, delays to seeking post-assault care appear to have decreased over time, although females presented later than males. These differences, as well as sex discrepancies in receiving HIV prophylaxis and prophylactic antibiotics, are not well understood. Additional research is needed to understand these phenomena such that equitable and optimal care can be ensured for both female and male sexual violence survivors.

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