scholarly journals Perceptions of Child Body Size and Health Care Seeking for Undernourished Children in Southern Malawi

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 1939-1948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie L. Flax ◽  
Chrissie Thakwalakwa ◽  
Ulla Ashorn
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Poor Child ◽  
Child Undernutrition ◽  
Growth Faltering

Child undernutrition affects millions of children globally, but little is known about the ability of adults to detect different types of child undernutrition in low-income countries. We used focused ethnographic methods to understand how Malawian parents and grandparents describe the characteristics they use to identify good and poor child growth, their actual or preferred patterns of health seeking for undernourished children, and the perceived importance of child undernutrition symptoms in relation to other childhood illnesses. Malawians value adiposity rather than stature in assessing child growth. Symptoms of malnutrition, including wasting and edema, were considered the least severe childhood illness symptoms. Parents delayed health care seeking when a child was ill. When they sought care, it was for symptoms such as diarrhea or fever, and they did not recognize malnutrition as the underlying cause. These findings can be used to tailor strategies for preventing and treating growth faltering in Malawian children.

scholarly journals Paradigm Shift in Clinical Practice of Sexual Health in Men During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 263183182110323
Author(s):  
Aditya Prakash Sharma ◽  
Japleen Kaur ◽  
Ravimohan S. Mavuduru ◽  
Shrawan K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

Sexual health-care seeking behavior and practices have been affected during COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 on this subspecialty is far reaching. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health-care seeking practice pertaining to sexual health in men in our tertiary care center and review the relevant literature regarding impact of COVID-19 on sexual health seeking practice and challenges faced. Outpatient data was analyzed from January 2019 to April 2021. Patients awaiting surgical procedures due to COVID were documented. A narrative synthesis of literature based on systematic search using the keywords sexual health, sexual health seeking, sexual health practice, andrology, and COVID with operators “AND” and “OR” was carried out in three search engines PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. The study outcomes were obtained by comparing data of outpatient attendance and compiling the reviewed literature. The mean attendance fell significantly from 95.11±11.17 to 17.25±13.70 persons (P <.0001) per outpatient clinic, March 2020 being the reference point. Teleconsultation has taken over physical consultation. In 98/949 cases, teleconsult could not be provided despite registration. Over 25 patients were waiting for surgical procedures pertaining to andrology due to shut down of elective services. Similar trends have been reported from other countries. Number of patients seeking consultation for sexual health problems has dramatically decreased during COVID-19 era. Establishment of data safe teleconsultation facility and its widespread advertisement is needed to encourage patients to seek consult.

GENDER-RELATED FACTORS INFLUENCING WOMEN'S HEALTH SEEKING FOR TUBERCULOSIS CARE IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
DANIEL C. OSHI ◽  
SARAH N. OSHI ◽  
ISAAC N. ALOBU ◽  
KINGSLEY N. UKWAJA
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Gender Norms ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Stigma And Discrimination ◽  
Resource Ownership ◽  
Explicit Consideration ◽  
And Control

SummaryThis is a qualitative, descriptive study to explore gender-related factors that influence health seeking for tuberculosis (TB) care by women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews based on interview guides were conducted with participants selected through purposive sampling in communities in the state. The results show that gender relations prohibit women from seeking care for symptoms of TB and other diseases outside their community without their husbands' approval. Gender norms on intra-household resource ownership and control divest women of the power to allocate money for health care seeking. Yet, the same norms place the burden of spending on health care for minor illnesses on women, and such repeated, out-of-pocket expenditures on health care at the village level make it difficult for women to save money for use for health care seeking for major illnesses such as TB, which, even if subsidized, still involves hidden costs such as transport fare. The opening hours of TB clinics do not favour their use by most women as they are open when women are usually engaged in income-generating activities. Attending the clinics may therefore entail opportunity costs for many women. People with chronic, infectious diseases such as TB and HIV are generally stigmatized and avoided. Women suffer more stigma and discrimination than men. Stigma and discrimination make women reluctant to seek care for TB until the disease is advanced. Policies and programmes aimed at increasing women's access to TB services should not only take these gender norms that disempower women into explicit consideration but also include interventions to address them. The programmes should integrate flexible opening hours for TB treatment units, including introduction of evening consultation for women. Interventions should also integrate anti-stigma strategies led by the community members themselves.

scholarly journals Staff Perspectives Toward Challenges in a Newly Established Cancer Center in Tanzania: A Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Zainab Alwash ◽  
Oliver Henke ◽  
Furaha Serventi ◽  
Eva Johanna Kantelhardt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
The Government

PURPOSE Cancer is a growing public health concern in low-income countries (LICs). From 14 million new patient cases identified worldwide each year, 8 million are diagnosed in LICs. The fatality rate is 75% in LICs compared with 46% in high-income countries. Causes are low literacy levels, lack of awareness and knowledge about cancer, and limited education of health care professionals that leads to late detection and diagnosis. In Tanzania, cancer incidence will double to 60,000 in 2030. The referral hospital of Northern Tanzania established a new cancer unit in December 2016 to meet these needs. However, there is limited knowledge about perceptions of health care professionals toward cancer care in LICs. This study aims to understand attitudes and perspectives of those professionals and the treatment-related challenges in a newly established center to assist future efforts in this field. METHODS A qualitative method approach using in-depth interviews was chosen to achieve inductive conceptualization. Analysis of data was performed according to qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Eleven interviews were conducted. Five main categories were found: training and education of staff, availability of financial support, challenges in management, interests in future developments, and job satisfaction. Subcategories elaborated in more detail within the main categories. CONCLUSION Limitations in staffing, training, and education were major concerns. The importance of sustainable funding and the needed cooperation of the government with international aid were identified as key points. The involvement of different stakeholders requires guidance by health care management. Health care professionals expressed their satisfaction with the possibilities of treating cancer and the rewarding feedback from patients. Misconceptions and poor knowledge by patients were mentioned as reasons for delayed health-seeking behavior. Screening and awareness programs were seen as useful interventions.

scholarly journals Determinants of Health Seeking Behavior among Caregivers of Infants Admitted with Acute Childhood Illnesses at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winfred Muringi Wambui ◽  
Samuel Kimani ◽  
Eunice Odhiambo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Facility ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
National Hospital ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Danger Signs ◽  
Childhood Illnesses ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Background. Poor, delayed, or inappropriate health seeking for a sick infant with acute childhood illness is associated with high morbidity/mortality. Delay in health seeking is implicated with fatal complications and prolonged hospital stay. Thus, caregivers ought to identify danger signs and promptly seek professional help for a sick infant. Objective. Establish determinants of health seeking behavior among caregivers of infants admitted with acute childhood illnesses in Kenyatta National Hospital. Methods. A mixed method cross-sectional study involving caregivers (n=130) of sick infants. Semistructured questionnaire and two focused group discussions were used to gather data on caregiver knowledge on danger signs, health care seeking options, and decision-making regarding health care seeking. Data was analyzed with SPSS V. 22. Results. Knowledge of danger signs of infancy was poor. Immediate health seeking was associated with tertiary [P=0.009] and secondary [P=0.030] education, knowledgeability on danger signs [P=0.002], and being married [P=0.019]. Respondents who resided in urban [P=0.034] or less than a kilometer [P=0.042] from a health facility sought care immediately. Those who rated services as excellent (P=0.005) and satisfactory (P=0.025) sought care promptly. Conclusion. Poor knowledge on danger signs of infancy was common among caregivers blurring the magnitude of acute illness resulting in delayed health seeking. Knowledgeability of danger signs of infancy, high educational level, and being married were associated with immediate health care seeking. Caregivers who resided in urban setting and/or near a health facility were linked to immediate health seeking. Additionally, satisfaction and perception of quality health care services were associated with immediate health seeking. Interventions with caregivers should involve capacity building through partnership with families and communities to raise awareness of danger signs of infancy. Strengthening of health care system to offer quality basic health services could improve health seeking behavior. Provision of a seamless supply system, infrastructural support, and technical support for soft skills minimize the turnaround time which is critical.

‘It still leaves me sixty dollars out of pocket’: experiences of diabetes medical care among low-income earners in Perth

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Cuesta-Briand ◽  
Sherry Saggers ◽  
Alexandra McManus
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Indigenous Status ◽  
Experience Of Care ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Health Care Seeking Behaviour ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Care Seeking Behaviour

Diabetes prevalence is increasing in Australia, and there are stark inequities in prevalence and clinical outcomes experienced by Indigenous people and low socioeconomic groups compared with non-Indigenous and socioeconomically advantaged groups. This paper explores the impact of Indigenous status and socioeconomic disadvantage on the experience of diabetes care in the primary health setting. Data were collected through focus groups and interviews. The sample, comprising 38 participants (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), was recruited from disadvantaged areas in Perth, Australia. Data analysis was mainly deductive and based on a conceptual framework for the relationship between socioeconomic position and diabetes health outcomes. Most participants reported accessing general practitioners regularly; however, evidence of access to dietitians and podiatrists was very limited. Perceived need, cost, lack of information on available services and previous negative experiences influenced health care-seeking behaviour. Complexity and lack of coordination characterised the model of care reported by most participants. In contrast, Indigenous participants accessing an Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation reported a more accessible and coordinated experience of care. Our analysis suggests that Indigenous and socioeconomically disadvantaged people tailor their health care-seeking behaviour to the limitations imposed by their income and disadvantaged circumstances. To reduce inequities in care experiences, diabetes services in primary care need to be accessible and responsive to the needs of such groups in the community.

scholarly journals Health care seeking behavior of parents of under five in District Kanga, Himachal Pradesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshay Minhas ◽  
Vishav Chander ◽  
Seema Sharma ◽  
P. Bansal
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Health State ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Care Seeking Behavior

Background: Health seeking behavior denotes the process involved in seeking a particular health state. Whereas, the healthcare seeking behavior of any individual denotes the end point contact of care. The objectives of the study were to understand the health seeking behavior and health care seeking behavior of parents of children, 0-5 yrs of age in Himachal Pradesh.Methods: A community based cross- sectional study on 2400 children of age less then and equal to 59 months was conducted. Morbidity profile and socio demographic indicators along with other variables were defined as indicators of health and health care seeking behaviour. The study was conducted using 30 cluster techniques with 80 participants from each cluster of district Kangra. Results: Water and sanitation was taken as one of the indicators of health seeking behavior and majority of our study population was dependent on ‘bavdi’ as water source. Earthen and steel pots were the most sought after storage vessel. In slums however plastic buckets were used. More than 80% of the households did nothing for purification. Majority responded that (82.6%) their child took bath daily. Institutional delivery was prevalent among 81.2% cases and lowest among rural slum. Nutrition was also taken as an indicator. Exclusive breast feeding was prevalent in 51.1% cases. In case of health care seeking behavior in our study around 47.0% parents visited the health facility, but also 24.0% were dependent on home remedies. Majority (30.5%), took treatment from secondary level of health care followed by 28.4% from private Ayurvedic Doctor. Conclusions: The system needs to understand its weaknesses as to why the population still practices unsatisfactory behavior across various areas. Especially in case of institutional deliveries, breast feeding and seeking treatment from a quack. 

scholarly journals Identification of nutritionally modifiable hormonal and epigenetic drivers of positive and negative growth deviance in rural African fetuses and infants: Project protocol and cohort description

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie E. Moore ◽  
Andrew M. Doel ◽  
Ken K. Ong ◽  
David B. Dunger ◽  
Nabeel A. Affara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Dried Blood Spots ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Anthropometric Measurement ◽  
Blood Draw ◽  
Growth Faltering ◽  
Morbidity Data

Growth retardation (stunting, wasting and poor organ development) among children in low-income countries has major short and long-term health consequences yet very little is known about the nutritional and environmental influences on the key hormonal axes regulating child growth in these settings, nor the tempo and timing of faltering episodes. Here we describe the study protocol and provide a cohort description of the Hormonal and Epigenetic Regulators of Growth (HERO-G) study. This prospective cohort study from rural Gambia, West Africa, followed mothers and children longitudinally from pre-conception, through pregnancy, delivery, and to two years of child age A total of 251 eligible mother-infant pairs were recruited into the HERO-G study, with 206 (82%) followed up until two years of age. Women were seen at scheduled antenatal appointments at 20, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, and at delivery, where possible. Between one week and 12 months of age, infants were visited every second day for collection of detailed anthropometry and morbidity data. Infants identified as about to enter a growth faltering episode at these visits entered a more detailed 20-day protocol, with the collection of dried blood spots, anthropometry and body composition. All infants were seen for scheduled clinic visits at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of age for clinical examination and venous blood draw. Data from the HERO-G study is being used to explore three major mechanistic pathways influencing growth: 1) genome-wide investigations for signatures of epigenetic effects on any loci that might affect growth; 2) frequent anthropometric measurement coupled with non-invasive monitoring for rapid identification and interrogation of real-time faltering patterns and aetiology; 3) focused measurement of hormones and cytokines that act together in an integrated manner, both in utero and after birth, to coordinate patterns of growth with immune activation, inflammation, and nutritional status.

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