Sociodemographic factors associated with the healthcare-seeking behavior of heads of households in a rural community in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study identified the factors associated with the healthcare-seeking behavior of heads of households in a rural community in Southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 among 410 household heads in Ivhiunone, Fugar in Edo State, Nigeria using two-staged sampling technique. Data collection was by means of a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. IBM SPSS version 20 and PEPI version 4.0 were used for data analysis. Results: Over three-quarters of the respondents, 357 (87.1%) and 346 (84.4%) were males and married. The mean age of respondents was 49.5 ± 15.9 years. The majority of the respondents, 180 (43.9%) and 208 (50.7%) had a secondary level of education and were in the skill level 1 occupational classification. Almost all 406 (98.8%) respondents sought healthcare when ill, and of these, 399 (98.3%) use medications given. The preferred place to seek healthcare when ill by 373 (91.9%) of the respondents was patent medicine stores. Predictors of healthcare-seeking behavior included marital status, level of education and income. Other associated factors were age, sex, and occupational classification. Conclusion: The sociodemographic predictors of healthcare-seeking behavior included marital status, level of education and income. Other associated factors were age, sex, and occupation. Most of the household heads preferred home treatment and sought healthcare in patent medicine stores and hospitals. Improved quality of care provided to clients/patients in healthcare facilities could address the inappropriate healthcare-seeking behavior in the community.

Keywords

• Healthcare-seeking behavior
• household heads
• rural community
• Southern Nigeria