scholarly journals Assessment of health seeking behaviour and self-medication among general public in the state of Penang, Malaysia

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 991-991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar T. Dawood ◽  
Mohamed A. Hassali ◽  
Fahad Saleem ◽  
Inas R. Ibrahim ◽  
Aseel H. Abdulameer ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah Yendaw ◽  
Anthony Mwinilanaa Tampah-Naah

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Nsengi Y. Ntamabyaliro ◽  
Christian Burri ◽  
Yves N. Lula ◽  
Daniel Ishoso ◽  
Aline B. Engo ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is heavily affected by malaria despite availability of effective treatments. Ignorance and unrecommended behaviour toward a suspected malaria case in households may contribute to this problem. (2) Method: In communities of one rural and one urban Health Centres in each of the 11 previous provinces of DRC, all households with a case of malaria in the 15 days prior to the survey were selected. The patient or caregiver (responder) were interviewed. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of knowledge of recommended antimalarials and adequate behaviour in case of suspected malaria. (3) Results: 1732 households participated; about 62% (1060/1721) of the responders were informed about antimalarials, 70.1% (742/1059) knew the recommended antimalarials and 58.6% (995/1699) resorted to self-medication. Predictors of knowledge of antimalarials were education to secondary school or university, information from media and smaller households. Predictors of good behaviour were Catholic religion and smaller households. Receiving information from Community Health Workers (CHWs) failed to be determinants of knowledge or adequate behaviour. (4) Conclusion: malaria control in DRC is hampered by ignorance and non-adherence to national recommendations. These aspects are influenced by unsuccessful communication, size of households and level of education.


Objective: This study examined the the health-seeking behaviour of female sex workers (FSWs) in the management of STIs. Methods: One hundred and thirty-one FSWs were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Results: Most (87.8%) of respondents interviewed knew condom use as the most effective way STIs including HIV can be prevented. About 24.0% and 94.0% of respondents consistently used condom during each round of sex with their regular/trusted sex partners and clients that ranged from2 to 9 and an average of 5 daily. Low (16.0%) self-perceived risk of STIs/HIV was reported among the FSWs despite their high-risk sexual activity. More than half of the respondents had good knowledge of signs and symptoms of STIs. In contrast, none of them knew that STIs can be asymptomatic. About 23.0% of the respondents have had STIs with 30.0% of these being recurring infections. Good health seeking behaviour was exhibited by respondents as most sought diagnosis (43.3%) and treatment (66.7%) for past STIs from medical doctors although many self-medication before reporting at the hospital for treatment. Moreover, 80.9% of respondents reported that they subject themselves to periodical medical examination. Conclusion: Results suggest the need for more educational interventions targeting this group emphasizing their high susceptibility to STIs/HIV, the significance of correct and consistent use of condoms for the prevention of STIs/HIV and the consequences of self-diagnosis and medication for STIs reported by many of the respondents.


Author(s):  
Nsengi Yumva Ntamabyaliro ◽  
Christian Burri ◽  
Yves Ntamba Lula ◽  
Daniel Isosho ◽  
Aline Biongo Engo ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is heavily affected by malaria despite availability of effective treatments. Ignorance and unrecommended behaviour toward a suspected malaria case in households may contribute to this problem. (2) Method: In communities of one rural and one urban Health Centers in each of the 11 previous provinces of DRC, all households with a case of malaria in the 15 days prior to the survey were selected. The patient or caregiver (responder) were interviewed. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of knowledge of recommended antimalarials and good behaviour in case of suspected malaria. (3) Results: 1,732 households participated; about 62% (1060/1721) of the responders were informed about antimalarials, 70.1% (742/1059) knew the recommended antimalarial and 58.6% (995/1699) resorted on self-medication. Predictors of knowledge of antimalarials were education to secondary school or university, information from media and smaller households. Predictors of good behaviour were catholic religion and smaller households. Receiving information from CHW failed to be determinants of knowledge or adequate attitude. (4) Conclusion: malaria control in DRC is hampered by ignorance and non-adherence to national recommendations. These aspects are influenced by unsuccessful communication, size of households and level of education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geofrey Musinguzi ◽  
Sibyl Anthierens ◽  
Fred Nuwaha ◽  
Jean-Pierre Van Geertruyden ◽  
Rhoda K. Wanyenze ◽  
...  

Background and Methods. Hypertension is a global public health challenge and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension control rates are low worldwide, and delay in seeking care is associated with increased mortality. Methods. In a qualitative study, known hypertensive patients were interviewed to explore factors influencing compliance and health seeking behaviour (HSB). Data was analyzed following a semantic thematic analysis approach. Results. Patients sought various channels of care for their hypertension. Self-medication and access to antihypertensive drugs with or without prescription were common as well as use of herbal remedies. Regular monitoring of blood pressure was not a common practice. Factors influencing HSB were related to health systems and the patient socioeconomic and structural environment. The main system issues were related to availability and attitudes of staff and shortage of supplies and medicines. The patient factors were related to awareness, perceived severity, perceived effectiveness of therapy, adverse effects, and perceived fears of lifelong dependence on medicines. The patient socioeconomic status played a role as did the marketing of traditional medicine. Conclusion. Patients seek varied channels of care for their hypertension. Strategies to address the multifactorial dimensions that affect HSB are needed to improve hypertension control in this population.


1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 456-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y A Adu-Sarkodie

One of the health education messages given in sexually transmitted disease (STD) control is patients' adopting appropriate health seeking behaviour. This includes reporting to health facilities for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. In parts of the world where STD aetiologic agents have assumed resistance to commonly used antimicrobials, this is important. The antimicrobial self medication practices of 764 patients attending an STD clinic in a developing country were studied. Seventy-four and a half per cent admitted to self medication before reporting to the clinic. The antibiotics taken in inappropriate dosages were purchased over the counter, given by friends or were 'left-overs' from previous medications. In the fight to control STD spread as a means of reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS, indiscriminate use of antimicrobials needs to be guarded against.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Chintha Sujatha ◽  
Reshma Rajan Sudha2 ◽  
Sreejith Lalitha Krishnankutty

BACKGROUND Dengue Fever is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among all communicable diseases in Kerala. Delay in seeking care is significantly associated with complications. Understanding health seeking behaviour of persons with risk of infection, helps in improving health care delivery. METHODS A cross sectional study was done among 100 dengue fever patients listed under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala state. Data regarding their health seeking behaviour during the course of the disease was collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS Inappropriate health seeking behaviour indicated by delay in seeking care and self medication was found in 22 % (95 % CI; 13.9 - 30.1) of subjects. Mean (SD) of delay in seeking health care was 3.01 (1.3) days. Treatment was initiated from government health facility by 63 % of patients. Primary level health care facility was sought by 61 % patients whereas 30 % opted for a secondary level facility. Proximity of the location of health facility to the patient’s dwelling was the factor influencing choice of treatment facility in 70 % of patients, followed by perceived quality of facility (15 %) and patient perceived competency of the physician (9 %). Male gender (p = 0.03) and educational status less than secondary level (p = 0.008) were significant risk factors for self-medication and delay in seeking health care. CONCLUSIONS Inappropriate health seeking behaviour in patients with suspected Dengue Fever is comparatively less in Kerala. Majority are seeking care from Government facilities and access to health care is influencing health seeking behaviour. Awareness generation in general and specific interventions targeting those with lower education status can further improve health seeking behaviour and reduce complications of dengue. KEYWORDS Health Seeking Behaviour, Dengue Fever, Self-Medication, Delay in Seeking Care, Healthcare Access, Kerala


2019 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 36-49
Author(s):  
Kayode Rasaq Adewoye ◽  
Shuaib Kayode Aremu ◽  
Tope Michael Ipinnimo ◽  
Idris Adedayo Salawu ◽  
Tesleem Olayinka Orewole ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-93
Author(s):  
Md. Abu Jafar Sujan ◽  
Muhammad Tareque Hasan ◽  
Bikash Chandra Sah ◽  
Md. Al Amin Khan ◽  
Ishraque Chowdhury ◽  
...  

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