Health Seeking Behaviour among Adult Residents of Yenagoa City; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Health seeking behaviour and measures taken to promote health or prevent/treat ill-health among residents of Yenagoa; were investigated. This is against the backdrop of diversity in cause(s) of ill-health and a plethora of alternatives for restoring health among the populace. Materials and Method: Structured questionnaire consisting of two sections was administered to 300 residents aged above 18 years. Section A contains demographic information while Section B contains enquires into knowledge of health; causation/prevention of ill-health and actions taken to restore health. Seven prevalent diseases namely; malaria; typhoid; HIV/AIDS; hypertension; diabetes; hepatitis and sexual impotence were used as representative conditions to elicit behavioural responses from participants. The sampled diseases although not exhaustive of all diseases; are representative of commonly encountered diseases and cover an ideal spectrum in terms of prevalence and severity. Results and Discussion: Out of the 300 questionnaires administered; 262 (87.3) were retrieved. Of the respondents; 147 (56.0) were females while 115 (44.0) were males. On causal factors for ill-health; 110 (42.0) respondents highlighted religion/culture as important; 67 (25.6) respondents highlighted biogenic (medical/scientific) factors as important; 85 (32.4) respondents highlighted socio-economic factors as important. Over 90of the respondents wait for sickness cue(s) before seeking for help reflecting poor health-check habit. Only 40 (15.3will seek help immediately when ill/sick. One hundred and thirty (49.6) respondents utilise orthodox medicine gotten from traditional/herbal healers; 33 (13.0) respondents utilise unorthodox medicine gotten from hospitals; clinics and pharmacies while 99 (37.8) utilise spiritual means indicating tremendous religious influence on health seeking behaviour