scholarly journals Health-seeking behaviour and cost of fever treatment to households in a malaria-endemic setting of northern Ghana: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e052224
Author(s):  
Maxwell Ayindenaba Dalaba ◽  
Paul Welaga ◽  
Philip Ayizem Dalinjong ◽  
Samuel Chatio ◽  
Mustapha Immurana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Average Cost ◽  
Malaria Diagnosis ◽  
Roll Back Malaria ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cost Of Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fever Treatment

ObjectivesTo examine the health-seeking behaviour and cost of fever treatment to households in Ghana.DesignCross-sectional household survey conducted between July and September 2015.SettingKassena-Nankana East and West districts in Upper East region of Ghana.ParticipantsIndividuals with an episode of fever in the 2 weeks preceding a visit during routine health and demographic surveillance system data collection were selected for the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, treatment-seeking behaviours and cost of treatment of fever were obtained from the respondents.ResultsOut of 1845 households visited, 21% (393 of 1845) reported an episode of fever. About 50% (195 of 393) of the fever cases had blood sample taken for testing by microscopy or Rapid Diagnostic Test, and 73.3% (143 of 195) were confirmed to have malaria. Of the 393 people with fever, 70% (271 of 393) reported taking an antimalarial and 24.0% (65 of 271) took antimalarial within 24 hours of the onset of illness. About 54% (145 of 271) of the antimalarials were obtained from health facilities.The average cost (direct and indirect) incurred by households per fever treatment was GH¢27.8/US$7.3 (range: GH¢0.2/US$0.1–GH¢200/US$52.6). This cost is 4.6 times the daily minimum wage of unskilled paid jobs of Ghanaians (US$1.6). The average cost incurred by those enrolled into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was GH¢24.8/US$6.5, and GH¢50/US$11.6 for those not enrolled.ConclusionsPrompt treatment within 24 hours of onset of fever was low (24%) compared with the Roll Back Malaria Programme target of at least 80%. Cost of treatment was relatively high when compared with average earnings of households in Ghana and enrolment into the NHIS reduced the cost of fever treatment remarkably. It is important to improve access to malaria diagnosis, antimalarials and enrolment into the NHIS in order to improve the case management of fever/malaria and accelerate universal health coverage in Ghana.

scholarly journals Health seeking behaviour and cost of fever treatment to households in a malaria endemic setting of northern Ghana: A cross sectional study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell Dalaba ◽  
Patricia Akweongo ◽  
Philip Baba Adongo ◽  
Philip Ayizem Dalinjong ◽  
Samuel Chatio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Household Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cost Of Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
System Data ◽  
Fever Treatment

Background This study examined the health seeking behaviours and cost of treatment of malaria to households in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted between July and September 2015. Individuals who had an episode of fever or malaria in the past two weeks identified during routine Health and Demographic Surveillance System data collection were selected for the study. Socio-demographic characteristics, treatment seeking behaviours and cost of treatment of malaria were obtained from the patient perspective. Results Out of the 1,845 households visited, 21.3% (393/1,845) reported to have had an episode of fever or malaria in the past two weeks. Of the 393 people with malaria, 66.9% (263/393) reported taking an antimalarial. About 53.6% (141/263) of the antimalarials were obtained from formal healthy facilities. About 36.1% (95/263) reported to have taken Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, 35.4% (93/263) took Artesunate–Amodiaquine and 21.7% (57/263) took Artemether-Lumefantrine. Only 49.6%% (195/393) of the study participants had their blood sample taken for illness (microscopic or Rapid Diagnostic Test). Only 23.6% (62/263) took antimalarial within 24 hours of the onset of illness. The overall average costs (direct and indirect cost) incurred by households per malaria treatment was GH¢27.82/US$7.32 (range: GH¢0.2/ US$0.05 - GH¢200/ US$52.63). The average cost incurred in the treatment of malaria by those who were enrolled into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was GH¢24.75/US$6.51 and those not enrolled was GH¢43.95/US$11.57. Conclusions Prompt treatment such as treatment within 24 hours of onset of malaria was low. The average costs to households per malaria treatment was GH¢27.82/US$7.32 and the preferred antimalarial was Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. There was a positive effect of NHIS enrolment on cost of treatment as the insured incurred less cost (US$5 less) in treatment than the uninsured.

scholarly journals Health seeking behaviour and its determinants among rural population- a cross sectional study in South India

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 4944
Author(s):  
Hemant Kumar ◽  
Sachidananda Kapinakadu ◽  
Manjula Anil
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cost Of Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Life Threatening

Background: Remedial action that a person takes to treat his or her perceived illnesses, is called health-seeking behaviour. Understanding health seeking behaviour (HSB) in a community and the factors which influence their decision, are crucial for planning a “need based” comprehensive health care programmes for the people, especially for underprovided and rural population. The objective of present study was to determine HSB and its determinants in a defined rural population.Methods: A community based cross -sectional study was conducted in rural field practice area of A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore (Karnataka) from 1st October 2017 to 31st July 2018. A total of 866 heads of households were included in the study, using universal sampling method. A pre-tested, validated questionnaire was used to collect the data. p values of <0.05 were considered significant.Results: Among 866 participants, almost all (98.03%) heads of families were males, while majority of them (35.68 %) were farmers. Further, majority (48.15%) of the households preferred to visit government hospitals for their ailments, while among those visiting private practitioners, majority of them (55.54%) preferred Allopath system of medicine. Health insurance subscription rates were found to be low (18.93%). Main determinants of HSB were observed to be cost of treatment, convenience of approach, quality of services and life threatening emergencies.Conclusions:Present study brings out higher utilization of government health care facilities among the study subjects, while cost of treatment and life threatening emergencies were the main predictors of HSB.  

scholarly journals Oral health seeking behaviors of adults in Nebbi District, Uganda: a community-based survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Ocwia ◽  
Ronald Olum ◽  
Pamela Atim ◽  
Florence Laker ◽  
Jerom Okot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Oral Disease ◽  
Tooth Decay ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Dental Clinic ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cost Of Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Dental health is often neglected by the majority of the population and has contributed to the global burden of oral diseases. We assessed awareness, utilization and barriers to seeking oral health care among adults in Nebbi District, Uganda. Methods A community-based, cross sectional study was conducted in the central division, Nebbi District in Uganda among adults between the age of 18 years or older. An interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection on socio-demographic characteristics, oral health awareness, oral health utilization, associated factors and barriers. Results A total of 400 adults with a median age of 32 years (interquartile range 24–43) years were enrolled. More than half (57.5%, n = 230) of the participants were female. Participants identified smoking (42.8%, n = 171) and consumption of sugary foodstuffs (29.0%, n = 116) as risk factors for oral disease. Not brushing was also identified by 260 participants (65.0%) as the cause of tooth decay and 95.8% (n = 383) believed brushing one’s teeth could prevent tooth decay. Of the 51.5% (n = 206) who had experienced a toothache or discomfort 12 months prior to the study but only about half (52%, n = 106) had sought healthcare from a dental clinic or facility. About 89.5% (n = 94) of the participants were able to see a dentist during their last visits. Dental carries (76.6%, n = 70) and gum bleeding (14.9%, n = 14) were the most frequent reasons for visiting a dental clinic, and 73.7% (n = 70) had their tooth extracted. Barriers to seeking oral healthcare were cost of treatment (47.5%, n = 190), and long waiting time (18.5%, n = 74). The odds of seeking oral healthcare was 2.8-fold higher in participants who were being married (Odds ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–6.3, p = 0.011) and 3.5-fold higher among housewives (COR: 3.5, 95% CI 1.1–11.4, p = 0.040). Conclusion About half of the participants had sought healthcare following a dental condition. Cost of treatment seems to be an important factor affecting utilization of oral health services. Optimization of costs, and creating awareness regarding benefits of utilizing preventive dental services are recommended.

scholarly journals Knowledge, practices and health seeking behaviour regarding dengue among household in an urban slum of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1212
Author(s):  
Amrita Kumari Konar ◽  
Rangala Venkata Manasa
Keyword(s):  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever is an emergent disease in India. It is a mosquito-borne viral disease. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue among households in urban slum area and to find out the health seeking behavior of respondent during first episodes of fever. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross sectional study undertaken in field practice area of UHTC of GITAM institute of medical science, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The sampling technique was two stage simple random sampling. Face-to-face interview based on a pre-designed and pretested questionnaire. The data was compiled and analyzed.Results: Out of total 262 individual were interviewed, 69.8% were aware about dengue. The major source of information was TV/radio (74.4%). The most common health seeking behaviour for first episode of fever was nearby UHTC and then government hospital.Conclusions: The knowledge and awareness regarding dengue was satisfactory in the study population but the knowledge about the mode of transmission and breeding habit is still lacking. More awareness campaign and health education will improve. 

Health-seeking behaviour and practices among immigrant retail traders in an urban setting in North-Western Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah Yendaw ◽  
Anthony Mwinilanaa Tampah-Naah
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to investigate the health-care-seeking behaviour and practices of West African migrants who reside and operate in Wa, Ghana, as itinerant retailers. Design/methodology/approach The study was cross-sectional and used the quantitative research approach. The analysis was done on a target population comprising 122 itinerant immigrant retail traders in Wa, Ghana. Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Findings Malaria was the commonest disease among them. Five in ten of the migrants preferred to report malaria episodes to a private health facility than to a government facility. Significant associations were identified between four dimensions (health facility, self-medication, home remedy and consult others) of health-seeking behaviour, and some background characteristics. The main reason why migrants prefer government health facilities was because of their better health personnel. They self-medicated because of easy accessibility of over-the-counter medicine shops. Also, when ill, the migrants usually consulted family members who would be in a position to take them home when their ailment worsens. Research limitations/implications Snowball sampling was used to select the respondents which could potentially lead to a sample that is not fully representative of the population in general. Originality/value Studies concerning migration and health in Ghana have been focused on internal migrants. Yet, minority immigrant traders equally encounter adverse health conditions but limited studies have been conducted to espouse their health-seeking behaviour. This study imperatively contributes to the subject matter that has limited literature in the country.

MATERNAL HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AND UNDER-FIVE MORTALITY IN ZIMBABWE

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nyasha Chadoka-Mutanda ◽  
Clifford O. Odimegwu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard Regression

SummaryUnder-five mortality remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe is one of the countries in the region that failed to achieve Millennium Developmental Goal 4 in 2015. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which maternal health-seeking behaviour prior to and during pregnancy and post-delivery influences the likelihood of under-five mortality among Zimbabwean children. The study was cross-sectional and data were extracted from the 2010/11 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). The study sample comprised 5155 children who were born five years preceding the 2010/11 ZDHS to a sample of 4128 women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Cox Proportional Hazard regression modelling was used to examine the relationship between maternal health-seeking behaviour and under-five mortality. The results showed that maternal health-seeking behaviour factors are associated with the risk of dying during childhood. Children born to mothers who had ever used contraceptives (HR: 0.38, CI 0.28–0.51) had a lower risk of dying during childhood compared with children born to mothers who had never used any contraceptive method. The risk of under-five mortality among children who had a postnatal check-up within two months after birth (HR: 0.36, CI 0.23–0.56) was lower than that of children who did not receive postnatal care. Small birth size (HR: 1.70, CI 1.20–2.41) and higher birth order (2+) increased the risk of under-five mortality. Good maternal health-seeking behaviour practices at the three critical stages around childbirth have the potential to reduce under-five mortality. Therefore, public health programmes should focus on influencing health-seeking behaviour among women and removing obstacles to effective maternal health-seeking behaviour in Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Associations between parental socioeconomic position and health-seeking behaviour for diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection among under-5 children in Myanmar: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e032039
Author(s):  
Kaung Suu Lwin ◽  
Shuhei Nomura ◽  
Daisuke Yoneoka ◽  
Peter Ueda ◽  
Sarah Krull Abe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Social Position ◽  
Private Provider ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Provider ◽  
Economic Position ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

ObjectivesTo examine the associations of parental social and economic position with health-seeking behaviour for diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection (ARI) among under-5 children in Myanmar and explore potential underlying mechanisms.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingA secondary dataset from the nationwide 2015–2016 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS).ParticipantsAll under-5 children in the sampled households with reported symptoms of diarrhoea and ARI during the 2-week period preceding the MDHS survey interview.Primary and secondary outcome measuresFour parental health-seeking behaviours: ‘seeking treatment’, ‘formal health provider’, ‘public provider’ and ‘private provider’ were considered. Social and economic positions were determined by confirmatory factor analysis. Multilevel logistic regressions were employed to examine the associations of social and economic positions with health-seeking behaviours for diarrhoea and ARI. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore potential underlying mechanisms in these associations.ResultsOf the 4099 under-5 children from the sampled households in MDHS, 427 (10.4%) with diarrhoea and 131 (3.2%) with ARI were considered for the analyses. For diarrhoea, social position was positively associated with seeking treatment and private provider use (adjusted OR: 1.60 (95% CIs: 1.07 to 2.38) and 1.83 (1.00 to 3.34), respectively). Economic position was positively associated with private provider use for diarrhoea (1.57 (1.07 to 2.30)). Negative associations were observed between social and economic positions with public provider use for diarrhoea (0.55 (0.30 to 0.99) and 0.64 (0.43 to 0.94), respectively). Social position had more influence than economic position on parental health-seeking behaviour for children with diarrhoea. No evidence for a significant association of social and economic position with health-seeking for ARI was observed.ConclusionsSocial and economic positions were possible determinants of health-seeking behaviour for diarrhoea among children; and social position had more influence than economic position. The results of this study may contribute to improve relevant interventions for diarrhoea and ARI among children in Myanmar.

scholarly journals Body Mass Index in Clinic Attenders: Patient Self-Perception versus Actual Measurements

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
S. Pooransingh ◽  
K. Ramgulam ◽  
I. Dialsingh
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Body Image Scale ◽  
Health Centres

Objectives. The objectives of the study were to measure actual BMI in patients attending chronic disease clinics in health centres and to relate this to the patients’ own perceptions of their body image and the need to lose weight.Study Design. A cross sectional study.Methods. The actual BMIs in patients who attended chronic disease clinics in 14 health centres were measured. All participants were asked to state where they thought they were on a visual body image scale and were also asked if they thought they needed to lose weight.Results. All participants approached agreed to participate (RR 100%). 70% of patients were found to have a raised BMI. Approximately 73% of patients using the visual scale indicated that an overweight or obese BMI was ideal for them.Conclusions. Patients think they are thinner than they actually are, with obvious implications for health and health seeking behaviour. A whole of society approach is needed to change weight status perceptions and improve exercise and dietary behaviour.

EXPLORING KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR RELATED TO SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG THE TRIBAL POPULATION OF MADHYA PRADESH, CENTRAL INDIA

2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. G. RAO ◽  
K. B. SAHA ◽  
J. BHAT ◽  
B. K. TIWARY ◽  
A. ABBAD
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Central India ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Madhya Pradesh ◽  
Tribal Population ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Route Of Transmission

SummaryThis community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the tribal population of randomly selected villages of Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh, central India. A total of 200 married men and women aged 15–49 years were interviewed to explore their knowledge, experience and health-seeking behaviour related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Though 91% of respondents were aware of STIs, the sexual route was mentioned by only 19% as the route of transmission. Around 18% reported a need for social isolation from persons with STIs. Though 88% of the respondents felt modern medicine was the best remedy for STIs, only a few of them used medical treatment while suffering from an STI. Twenty-seven per cent of respondents resorted to traditional healers, and 30% utilized home remedies for STI treatment. The study highlights a need for generating STI awareness amongst the tribal population of the region through a needs-based behaviour change communication (BCC) strategy.

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