Health Seeking Behaviours of Female Manual Labourers towards Febrile Illness in Jos; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Occupation may affect health seeking behaviour. Very little is known about this behaviour in labourers. This study assessed the health-seeking behaviour of the female manual labourers to fever in Jos; Nigeria. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 female manual labourers from a randomly selected cluster in Jos; using a pre-tested interviewer-administered semistructured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Epi info. Results: Fever episode was reported by 85 percent of respondents during the last one month before the survey. Forty-seven percent `observed' the fever and hoped for self resolution. Home treatment was reported as the first response to fever by 23and 49of the labourers sought treatment for fever within the first 24 hours of onset. Early treatment-seeking pattern was reported among those who self-medicate; followed by those that visited pharmacy stores. Cost was the major reason for delay in seeking timely and appropriate care