scholarly journals Evaluation of the Impact of Educational Status and Cultural Beliefs on the Health Seeking Behavior of Women with Obstetric Fistula in South-South and South Eastern Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Obstetric Fistula ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Cultural Belief ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Background: Obstetric fistula is a serious health problem affecting women in low and middle-income countries. It continues to exist in Nigeria because the health care system has failed to provide quality, accessible and affordable maternal health care including family planning, skilled care at birth, basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care and inadequate access to treatment of obstetric fistula cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of educational status and cultural beliefs on the health seeking behavior of women with obstetric fistula in South-South and South Eastern Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Non-probability sampling involving purposive and simple random sampling technique was adopted in the selection of one hundred and fifty (150) post-operative patients. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis frequency tables and percentage distribution. Results: The findings were that educational status and cultural belief exert significant influence on the health seeking behavior of women with obstetric fistula. Conclusion: The study indicated that obstetric fistula is a major reproductive health challenge affecting women of childbearing age in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, educational status and cultural belief of women with obstetric fistula are the major serious challenges to health seeking behaviour of the women with Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). It was therefore recommended that more awareness on obstetric fistula should be created using strategies such as sex education programmed in secondary schools and churches so as to educate them on issues concerning obstetric fistula as well as health talk on VVF for youths.

scholarly journals The Impact of Socio-Economic and Demographic Factors on Health Seeking Behavior of Urban Households, Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam ◽  
Parvin Begum
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aim: As households’ health-seeking behavior depends enormously on socio-economic and demographic factors particularly in developing county like Bangladesh, it contributes differently to health-care seeking behavior varying household to household. This study intends to explore the nature of the health seeking behavior of urban residents in Sylhet city through assessing the socio-economic and socio-demographic factors. Subject and Methods: A 150 household survey has been completed in Sylhet city, using a multistage cluster sampling method. A household survey questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and socio-economic factors and their impacts on health-seeking behavior. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis investigate the extent of association between different socio-economic and demographic factors and health-seeking behavior. Results: We found that among the 150 participants, the majority (88%) of household heads are male because gender is significantly associated with priority in choosing health care in the study. The result of binary logistic regression indicates the households who have a minimum level of education (primary or above) are 10.617 more likely to use public health care facilities. Income is statistically associated with the main source of health service. The interference of income in seeking treatment has a relationship with the employment sectors (public or private). Moreover, the reasons for choosing a specific source of health care have a significant relationship with the main source of health care (public or private). Conclusion: This study recommends that government should introduce health insurance policy for city dwellers for reducing the inequalities in health services among city dwellers.

scholarly journals Health seeking behavior after the 2013–16 Ebola epidemic: Lassa fever as a metric of persistent changes in Kenema District, Sierra Leone

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. e0009576
Author(s):  
Mikaela R. Koch ◽  
Lansana Kanneh ◽  
Paul H. Wise ◽  
Lianne M. Kurina ◽  
Foday Alhasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
West African ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
The West ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Background The West African Ebola epidemic of 2013–2016 killed nearly 4,000 Sierra Leoneans and devastated health infrastructure across West Africa. Changes in health seeking behavior (HSB) during the outbreak resulted in dramatic underreporting and substantial declines in hospital presentations to public health facilities, resulting in an estimated tens of thousands of additional maternal, infant, and adult deaths per year. Sierra Leone’s Kenema District, a major Ebola hotspot, is also endemic for Lassa fever (LF), another often-fatal hemorrhagic disease. Here we assess the impact of the West African Ebola epidemic on health seeking behaviors with respect to presentations to the Kenema Government Hospital (KGH) Lassa Ward, which serves as the primary health care referral center for suspected Lassa fever cases in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. Methodology/Principal findings Presentation frequencies for suspected Lassa fever presenting to KGH or one of its referral centers from 2011–2019 were analyzed to consider the potential impact of the West African Ebola epidemic on presentation patterns. There was a significant decline in suspected LF cases presenting to KGH following the epidemic, and a lower percentage of subjects were admitted to the KGH Lassa Ward following the epidemic. To assess general HSB, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 200 residents from 8 villages in Kenema District. Among 194 completed interviews, 151 (78%) of respondents stated they felt hospitals were safer post-epidemic with no significant differences noted among subjects according to religious background, age, gender, or education. However, 37 (19%) subjects reported decreased attendance at hospitals since the epidemic, which suggests that trust in the healthcare system has not fully rebounded. Cost was identified as a major deterrent to seeking healthcare. Conclusions/Significance Analysis of patient demographic data suggests that fewer individuals sought care for Lassa fever and other febrile illnesses in Kenema District after the West African Ebola epidemic. Re-establishing trust in health care services will require efforts beyond rebuilding infrastructure and require concerted efforts to rebuild the trust of local residents who may be wary of seeking healthcare post epidemic.

scholarly journals Health-seeking Behavior of Undergraduate Nursing Students and Associated Factors: A Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerili Zaya ◽  
Shijia Li ◽  
Jingyu Pan ◽  
Jinyu Zhang ◽  
Anita Näslindh-Ylispangar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Health Care Utilization ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Abstract Background Though relevant education and clinical practice could promote health-seeking behavior, nurses and nursing students may not actively seek healthcare. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using an adaptation of the self-reported Health Behavior Questionnaire (HBQ) including sociocultural background, lifestyle, self-assessment of life, health care utilization, and health counseling. 199 valid samples were acquired by convenient sampling. Univariate analysis, Spearman rank correlation, Pearson correlation, and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results Cultural background, living with family, employment, most items in lifestyle, and all items in perceived life status were correlated with health-seeking behavior. A multivariate linear regression verified the influence of alcohol consumption, financial situation, and work situation on the experience of health care utilization, as well as the influence of physical health and interpersonal relationship on the experience of health counseling. Conclusions Less alcohol consumption, better financial situation, and better work situation are positively correlated with health care utilization. Better physical health and sounder interpersonal relationships can improve health counseling. The effect of other factors needs further exploration. Cohort studies could be used to investigate the long-term change in health-seeking behavior.

scholarly journals The impact of recall periods on reported morbidity and health seeking behavior

2012 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jishnu Das ◽  
Jeffrey Hammer ◽  
Carolina Sánchez-Paramo
Keyword(s):  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Health-Seeking Behavior of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Their Family Caregivers

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 614-620
Author(s):  
Kumboyono Kumboyono ◽  
Jeki Refialdinata ◽  
Titin A Wihastuti ◽  
Septi D Rachmawati ◽  
Aditya N Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Government

AbstractIntroductionAcute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is a life-threatening condition. Immediate and proper treatment will decrease mortality rate. Patient awareness on ACS is still lacking and as the consequence, ACS patients do not seek immediate help.ProblemThe patients’ efforts to get rid of ACS symptoms.MethodsThe study was a descriptive, qualitative study in which a semi-structured, in-depth interview became the instrument. The respondents were 34 participants (including 17 ACS patients and 17 family caregivers). Data analysis was done by triangulation of data sources.ResultsThree themes were obtained, namely: (1) prefer traditional and self-treatment, for example (a) traditional medicine, (b) taking non-prescription drugs to overcome ACS symptoms, and (c) spontaneous action; (2) using available health resources and facilities that consisted of (a) getting initial treatment at home by nurses, (b) visiting a health center to take care of the symptoms, and (c) using non-ambulance service to visit the health centers; and (3) expectations on health care services to patients composed by sub-themes such as (a) the expectation to get information that supports the healing, and (b) the caring attitude of the heath professional.Conclusions:The results showed that in the prehospital setting when experiencing ACS symptoms, the patients try to overcome the symptoms independently. However, as the symptoms get worse, they utilize health facilities in different ways. At the time of obtaining health services, patients are satisfied with health professionals who show caring attitudes, explain the results of the examination, and provide health education on health care efforts. Thus, to prevent mortality and morbidity, it is important for a health professional to educate the public about ACS, including topics about ACS healthy lifestyles and potential threats if it is too late to get treatment. Furthermore, it is also important for the government to implement prehospital emergency services nation-wide.KumboyonoK, RefialdinataJ, WihastutiTA, RachmawatiSD, AzizAN. Health-seeking behavior of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and their family caregivers. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):614–620.

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.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neonatal admissions in a tertiary children’s hospital in southwest China: An interrupted time-series study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262202
Author(s):  
Weiqin Liu ◽  
Qifen Yang ◽  
Zhen-e Xu ◽  
Ya Hu ◽  
Yongming Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Background The unprecedented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused millions of infections worldwide and represents a significant challenge facing modern health care systems. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of lockdown measures in a tertiary Children’s Hospital in southwest China, which might be used to predict long-term effects related to health-seeking behavior of parents/caregivers. Methods This study included newborns enrolled over a span of 86 weeks between January 4, 2019, and August 27, 2020. We designated two time periods for analysis purposes: a stable pre-COVID period(55 weeks between January 4, 2019, and January 23, 2020) and a COVID-impacted period (31 weeks between January 24, 2020, and August 27, 2020). An interrupted time-series analysis was employed to compare changes and trends in hospital admissions and disease spectra before and after the period of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Furthermore, this study was conducted to evaluate whether the health-seeking behavior of parents/caregivers was influenced by pandemic factors. Results Overall, 16,640 infants were admitted to the neonatology department during the pre-COVID period (n = 12,082) and the COVID-impacted period (n = 4,558). The per week neonatal admissions consistently decreased following the first days of NPIs (January 24, 2020). The average weekly admission rates of 220/week pre-COVID period and 147/week COVID-impacted period. There was an evident decrease in the volume of admissions for all disease spectra after the intervention, whereas the decrease of patients complaining about pathological jaundice-related conditions was statistically significant (p<0.05). In the COVID-impacted period, the percentage of patients who suffered from respiratory system diseases, neonatal encephalopathy, and infectious diseases decreased, while the percentage of pathological jaundice-related conditions and gastrointestinal system diseases increased. The neonatal mortality rates (NMRs) increased by 8.7% during the COVID-impacted period compared with the pre-COVID period. Conclusions In summary, there was a significant decline in neonatal admissions in a tertiary care hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the associated NPIs. Additionally, this situation had a remarkable impact on disease spectra and health-seeking behavior of parents/caregivers. We, therefore, advise continuing follow-ups and monitoring the main health indicators in vulnerable populations affected by this Pandemic over time.

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