Health-seeking behaviors and determinants among herpes zoster patients in South Wollo public hospitals, Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

BackgroundHealth-seeking behavior towards herpes zoster is vital to find an appropriate remedy for patients and utilization of timely healthcare services can have an impact on good health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the health-seeking behavior and determinants among Herpes Zoster patients in public hospitals, South Wollo, Ethiopia. MethodA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 419 participants. Pretested, structured questionnaires and patient interviews were used to collect the data. The bivariable analysis was done and variables with p-value <0.25 were further examined using a multivariable logistic regression model. AOR with a 95 % CI and a P-value <0.05 at a 5 % level of significance were considered. ResultsAbout 55.6 % of patients had poor health-seeking behavior towards herpes zoster, with a response rate of 99.1 %. Distance from health facilities (AOR = 4.9; 95 % CI: 1.33–10.35), being rural residence (AOR = 0.3; 95 % CI: 0.17–0.40), being illiterate (AOR = 5.9; 95 % CI: 3.40–10.32), poor self-care adherence (AOR = 1.8; 95 % CI = 1.14–3.07), moderate depression (AOR = 7.3; 95 % CI: 4.10–11.50), moderate (AOR = 0.3; 95 % CI: 0.10–0.70) and severe anxiety (AOR = 0.1; 95 % CI: 0.01–0.63), and duration more than seven days of herpes zoster (AOR = 3.1; 95 % CI = 1.42–6.97) were statistically significant. ConclusionNearly half of the study participants had poor health-seeking behavior. Being a rural resident and illiterate, poor self-care adherence, moderate and severe anxiety, moderate depression, and duration of more than 7 days were significantly associated. with health-seeking behavior towards Herpes Zoster. Proper guidance, psychological support, and awareness creation about Herpes Zoster severity and complications.