"It's Best when You Treat Yourself": Culture of Healthcare and Health Seeking Behaviour Among Health Care Professionals in Accra, Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking

scholarly journals Prevalence of acute morbidities and their health seeking behaviour among under-five children of urban slums in a city in Karnataka

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 2449
Author(s):  
Yamuna B. N. ◽  
Ratnaprabha G. K. ◽  
Prakash Kengnal
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Under Five ◽  
The Past

Background: Morbidity and lack of health facility especially in the first five years of life would cause irreparable damage. Therefore it is important to assess the magnitude of morbidities, and their health seeking behaviour. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of acute morbidities and their associated factors among Under-five (U5) children residing in slums of Davanagere city, Karnataka, and to assess the health-seeking behaviour of their mothers/caregiversMethods: It was a cross sectional study done in the slums of Davanagere city during August-September 2016. Using 30 cluster sampling technique, the estimated sample size was 656. A total of 22 children were included in each cluster. Questionnaire consisting of demographic details, history of acute morbidities in the past two weeks and their treatment details was administered to the mother/caregiver. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS Version 20.Results: Totally 656 mothers/caregivers of U5 children were contacted, majority of the children were in the age group of 13 to 60 months. Total of 348 (53%) children suffered from some acute morbidity in the past 2 weeks, of whom 282 (81%) children were taken to some health care facility, and majority preferred private practitioner (73.4%). Most common reason for poor health seeking behaviour was “following the medicines which were prescribed for previous illness”.Conclusions: More than half of the children suffered from some acute morbidity in the past 2 weeks and 81% of them were taken to health care facility. 

scholarly journals Health-seeking Behaviour of Women Reporting Symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Durr-e- Nayab
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Reproductive Tract Infections ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Tract Infections

A woman’s access to health care, in physical, social, and psychological contexts, depends on her health beliefs and her socio-economic and demographic background. As in most developing countries, the health system in Pakistan is a combination of modern and traditional medicine, and the nature of care sought again depends on the individual’s health beliefs and background characteristics. This paper thus not only focuses on whether women seek help or not when sick, but also on the differentials that exist in the health-seeking behaviour among women with different backgrounds. It finds that less than half the women reporting any symptom related to reproductive tract infections seek help, while for some symptoms the proportion seeking help goes down to a mere one-fifth. The decision to seek help depends on a woman’s educational and economic status, the extent to which she is worried about the symptom, duration of experiencing the symptom, and inter-spousal communication about the symptom. Lack of finances to access any health service and considering the symptom as something common not needing attention are the two main reasons for not seeking help. The choice of the healthprovider consulted for a symptom is linked to the perceived cause of the symptom, but allopathic doctors are preferred by the majority of women seeking health care.

scholarly journals The use of traditional medicine by caregivers for children under the age of five years as health seeking behaviour

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Shanitha Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Sick Children

Child health has always been a global priority for decades; however, despite efforts to reduce the child mortality statistics, 5.9 million children under the age of five years have deceased in 2015. IMCI guidelines are used to assess, classify and treat sick children under the age of five years, however, despite the prevalent use of traditional medicine for this age group of children, the guidelines excludes the use of traditional medicine, hence the tendency exists to ignore such questions being asked. It is this gap in the history taking pertaining to sick children seeking health care at clinics that the researcher has identified, therefore, this study is intended to highlight the use of traditional medicine in children under the age of five years. The researcher’s methodology is a quantitative descriptive study by means of a self- developed structured questionnaire which was handed out to 183 caregivers attending a Gateway Clinic and 324 caregivers at Paediatric Out – Patient Department. The total sample size was 507 caregivers of children under the age of five years. Data was analysed using SPSS version 17. The data derived from this study indicated that although most caregivers would take their sick children to the clinic for first line treatment, there are a significant number who would rather use home remedies or seek care from traditional healers. The study reveals that 28.5% of caregivers were found to be administering traditional medicine with conventional medicine and 17.4% would do so concurrently. Evidence also revealed that 75.7% of the caregivers would disclose the use of traditional medicine for their children only if nurses enquired about it. Recommendations arising from the study findings are that the IMCI guidelines should incorporate a classification chart for use by health care professionals in order to identify children who were treated by traditional medicine preferably as “RED” - requiring urgent attention and possible admission to hospital, in view of the potential threat to life. Since the IMCI guidelines are also a teaching tool in nursing curricula, the assessment of sick children using traditional medicine will be incorporated into the formal teaching of nurses. Key words used were Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses, effects and use of traditional medicine on children.

scholarly journals Mother’s / care giver’s health seeking behaviour during childhood illness in an urban slum of Dhaka city

Pulse ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Mahejabin ◽  
S Parveen ◽  
M Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Receive Treatment

Objectives: To determine the health seeking behaviour of mothers / care givers of children under 5 years of age during their illnesses.Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 439 mothers/ care givers of under 5 year old children in an urban slum area of Dhaka city from September 2013 to February 2014. Data were collected through face-to-face interview by using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. All analyzed data were presented in the form of percentages. Chi-square test was applied wherever applicable.Results: Out of 439 mothers / care givers, most (90%) of them sought health care services during their children’s illness. [A statistically significant association was found between mother’s /care giver’s education and sought health care services during illness of children (p=0.055). In the study, 200 (50%) of the respondents consulted drug sellers of medicine shops during their children’s illness. Others went to medical college hospital (34.6%), Government hospitals (13.5%), consulted a private practitioners (11%) and NGO facilities (6.3%). Forty (9.1%) respondents did not seek any health care with multiple reasons or responses. Majority (27, 67.5%) waited for self recovery, 21 (52.5%) had lack of money, 5 (12.5%) did not receive any advice to receive treatment. Four (10%) respondents said that the health care facility was too far to receive treatment and 3 (7.5%) respondents did not feel that treatment was necessary. [Health seeking behaviour of the mothers / care givers was statistically highly significant in educated person. They took the child to Govt. hospital (p=0.001) during illness. The relationship between health seeking behaviour and monthly family income of the respondents was statistically significant. The respondents took their child to medical college hospital (p=0.040) and also consulted drug sellers (p=0.038) during illness of the child.]Conclusion: Health education and behaviour change communication activities can be undertaken in the slum for mothers / care givers about early recognition of childhood illness and on the importance of seeking early treatment.Pulse Vol.7 January-December 2014 p.5-15

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 Outbreak Investigation of Monkeypox in Akwa Ibom State: A Matched Case Control Study 14th - 24th October 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Okoli Solomon Chieloka ◽  
Lateefat Kikelomo Amao ◽  
Jessica Toyin Akinrogbe ◽  
Joshua-Inyang Iniobong ◽  
Joel Burga
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Control Study

Background: Monkeypox (MPX) is a viral zoonoses characterized by pustular rashes similar to smallpox. It is endemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and West Africa. The outbreak of MPX was first reported outside Africa in 2003 following horizontal infection of Prairie dogs by imported African rodents. Two distinct clades are known, the Central (more severe) and the West African clade (Mild). In Nigeria, the first confirmed case of MPX was in a 4-year old child in 1971. This was followed by a lull of 39 years. Since September 2017, sporadic outbreaks have been reported in 17 states across Nigeria. As at week 36 of 2019, Akwa Ibom reported ten suspected cases with one lab-confirmed. Methods: We revised MPX case definition and constituted a team comprising of State DSNO, Laboratory and RRT from NCDC. We identified retrospective cases from the state line list, their contacts traced and samples collected. We carried out a case-control study on the 3 cases in Mkpat Enin LGA. Twenty-one (21) pre-tested (KAP) questionnaire was administered to health care workers (HCW) and community members to access knowledge awareness and risk perception of MPX. HCWs were trained, and community sensitization carried out. We accessed the capacity of IDH Uyo to manage MPX cases and conducted a case-control study to determine the odds of association of MPX with individuals in contact with confirmed MPX cases at Mkpat Enin LGA. Results: Eight new cases identified during active case search were negative of MPX. The level of awareness of MPX amongst HCW was high (n=20); pre-test score 16.5(85%) and 18 (90%) posttest. Knowledge of clinical presentation of MPX amongst HCW was also high 17(85%). There was a high-risk perception of MPX 18(90%), assessment of best practice 16 (76%) and proper sample collection 15 (75%). CM awareness of MPX (n=20) was at 12(62%), health-seeking behaviour at 2(11%) and the consumption of giant rats and monkeys at 12(86%). There was a weak association of transmission of infection by MPX cases to individuals in contact with them {(OR=0.333, (0.0673, 1.6516), Fisher exact 0.1756}.  We identified a general apathy by HCW (Nurses) at the IDH Uyo to accept and manage MPX cases. Conclusion: The high HCW and community awareness negates the poor health-seeking behaviour of members of Ekpat Enin community due to paucity of funds to access health care or rejection by HF within the area. Monkeys and giant rats are delicacies high within the community hence a risk factor in MPX zoonoses. Consequently, individuals who consume such delicacies or come into contact with confirmed cases are at times likely to contact MPX.

scholarly journals Health seeking behaviour and factors affecting it among oral cancer patients seeking radiotherapy at a regional cancer centre: a retrospective study

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1647
Author(s):  
Somen Kumar Pradhan ◽  
Shubhra Agrawal Gupta ◽  
Neha Shrivastava ◽  
Nirmal Verma ◽  
Srishti Dixit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cancer Centre ◽  
Oral Cancer Patients ◽  
Regional Cancer Centre

Background: In spite of the progress in therapeutic science, the mortality among patients with Oral cancer is still high when compared to other cancers. However, early diagnosis and treatment are still key to improve prognosis, if a correct diagnosis is made at the initial stage of the disease. The objective of this study is to assess the health seeking behaviour and factors affecting it among oral cancer patients seeking radiotherapy at Regional cancer centre, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Hospital, Raipur.Methods: This hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in Regional cancer centre, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur. Data was collected from previous patient records and by interview method regarding demographic details and health seeking behaviour including various delays in presentation of the study subjects.Results: The most common primary presenting complaint among the study subjects was Ulcer (61.59%) followed by Mass (33.02%). The majority of the subjects sought care at Private hospitals (41.72%) followed by government public health care facilities (33.11%) as first health care provider. Among clinic-epidemiological factors, place of residence (p=0.001), distance from RCC, Raipur (p=0.035), Socio-economic status (p=0.01) and initial healthcare provider (p=0.027) were found to be significantly associated with delay in diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer.Conclusions: The patient health seeking behavior can be improved by proper health education and increasing accessibility to primary health care. 

scholarly journals Dynamics of Health Care Seeking Behaviour of Elderly People in Rural Bangladesh

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priti Biswas ◽  
Zarina Nahar Kabir ◽  
Jan Nilsson ◽  
Shahaduz Zaman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Rural Bangladesh

Bangladesh is projected to experience a doubling of its elderly population from the current level of 7 million to 14 million by the end of the next decade. Drawing upon qualitative evidence from rural Bangladesh, this article focuses on coping strategies in cases of illness of elderly people and the contributing factors in determining the health-seeking behaviour of elderly persons. The sample for this study consisted of elderly men and women aged 60 years or older and their caregivers. Nine focus group discussions and 30 in-depth interviews were conducted. Findings indicate that old age and ill-health are perceived to be inseparable entities. Seeking health care from a formally qualified doctor is avoided due to high costs. Familiarity and accessibility of health care providers play important roles in health-seeking behaviour of elderly persons. Flexibility of health care providers in receiving payment is a crucial deciding factor of whether or not to seek treatment, and even the type of treatment sought.

MALARIA-RELATED HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AND CHALLENGES FOR CARE PROVIDERS IN RURAL ETHIOPIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTROL

2008 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
WAKGARI DERESSA ◽  
AHMED ALI ◽  
DAMEN HAILEMARIAM
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
And Control

SummaryA range of activities are currently underway to improve access to malaria prevention and control interventions. As disease control strategies change over time, it is crucial to understand the health-seeking behaviour and the local socio-cultural context in which the changes in interventions operate. This paper reflects on how people in an area of seasonal malaria perceive the causes and transmission of the disease, and what prevention and treatment measures they practise to cope with the disease. It also highlights some of the challenges of malaria treatment for health care providers. The study was undertaken in 2003 in Adami Tulu District in south-central Ethiopia, where malaria is a major health problem. Pre-tested structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were conducted among men and women. Malaria, locally known as busa, was perceived as the most important cause of ill health in the area. Respondent’s perception and knowledge about the cause and transmission of the disease were relatively high. The newly introduced insecticide-treated nets were not popular in the area, and only 6·4% of households possessed at least one. The results showed that patients use multiple sources of health care for malaria treatment. Public health facilities, private clinics and community health workers were the main providers of malaria treatment. Despite higher treatment costs, people preferred to use private health care providers for malaria treatment due to the higher perceived quality of care they offer. In conclusion, effort in the prevention and control of malaria should be intensified through addressing not only public facilities, but also the private sector and community-based control interventions. Appropriate and relevant information on malaria should be disseminated to the local community. The authors propose the provision of effective antimalarial drugs and malaria prevention tools such as subsidized or free insecticide-treated nets.

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