Knowledge, Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Health-seeking Behavior in Menopausal Nuns

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the quality of life, treatment adherence, and health-seeking behavior among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 161 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis between May 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected using the “Personal Information Form”, “Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RAQoL)”, “Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology (CQR-T)”, and the “Health-Seeking Behavior Scale”.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 57.94 ± 13.46 years, and 72% were female. The mean duration of symptoms was 12.95 ± 10.06 years, and the mean disease activity score was 6.09±2.59. The analyses showed that lower treatment adherence, greater symptom severity, and female gender had negative effects on quality of life, while higher disease activity had a positive effect (ß = −0.205; ß = −0.284; ß = −0.155; ß = 0.303, respectively). In addition, a decrease in quality of life was found to negatively affect treatment adherence, whereas professional health-seeking behavior improved adherence (ß = −0.164; ß = 0.519). Educational level was also found to have a positive effect on health-seeking behavior (ß = 0.304).ConclusionThis study highlights the complex interplay of psychosocial, behavioral, and clinical factors influencing quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, we found that male gender was a significant predictor of better quality of life, while higher education levels were associated with stronger health-seeking behavior. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening treatment adherence, promoting proactive health-seeking behavior, and considering sociodemographic differences such as gender and education in patient care. Moreover, this study is among the first to examine health-seeking behavior alongside quality of life and treatment adherence in RA, providing a unique contribution to the literature. Integrating these factors into management strategies can better support clinicians in improving both health outcomes and quality of life for their patients. This study highlights the complex interplay of psychosocial, behavioral, and clinical factors influencing quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening treatment adherence, promoting proactive health-seeking behavior, and considering sociodemographic differences such as gender and education in patient care. Moreover, this study is among the first to examine health-seeking behavior alongside quality of life and treatment adherence in RA, providing a unique contribution to the literature. Integrating these factors into management strategies can better support clinicians in improving both health outcomes and quality of life for their patients.

Background: The detention of immigrants has adverse effects on both their health and their overall quality of life. In migration conditions, there is a notable impact on health-seeking behavior.Objective: This study aims to explore the quality of life, health-seeking behavior, and perceived barriers to health services utilization among Sudanese immigrants in Egypt.Materials and methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design to fulfill its objectives. A convenience sample comprising 385 Sudanese immigrants post-war was utilized. The researcher employed a structured questionnaire consisting of four parts: socio-demographic data, a quality of life questionnaire, an assessment of health-seeking behavior, and an exploration of the barriers faced by Sudanese immigrant participants in accessing health services.Results: The study on Sudanese immigrants post-war revealed diverse perceptions of overall quality of life, with 41.6% reporting satisfaction, 32.4% an average state, and 26.0% unsatisfactory conditions. Factors such as gender, educational level, financial situation, and the primary reason for relocating to Egypt significantly influenced these outcomes (p<0.05). Encouragingly, 57.1% of the immigrants exhibited positive health-seeking behavior. Noteworthy barriers to healthcare access included limited awareness of available services (60.5%), competing priorities like work (53.2%), insufficient financial resources (49.6%), and extended waiting times in healthcare facilities (45.5%). These findings underscore the complex interplay of factors affecting the well-being and health-seeking patterns of Sudanese immigrants in their new environment.Conclusion: The research sheds light on key aspects of the well-being of Sudanese immigrants in Egypt, offering insights into their quality of life, health-seeking behavior, and perceived barriers to healthcare. The findings reveal a diverse spectrum of overall quality of life, with over a third expressing satisfaction, while a significant portion reported average or unsatisfactory levels. The study underscores the intricate influence of gender, educational level, financial situation, and the primary reason for immigration on the quality of life. Positive health-seeking behavior was observed in more than half of the participants, yet the identification of barriers to healthcare access signals challenges that warrant attention for enhancing overall health outcomes among this immigrant population. Implementing community-based health education programs plays a pivotal role in empowering immigrant Sudanese individuals in Egypt to make informed health choices and adopt healthy lifestyles.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality in Bangladesh, yet healthcare access and quality of life (QoL) remain suboptimal. Unlike previous studies in Bangladesh, this research systematically applies Andersen's model to jointly assess health-seeking behavior (HSB) and QoL, offering a novel framework for policy relevant insights. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 among 1052 adults with clinically confirmed NCDs in urban and rural areas of Dhaka, Khulna, and Mymensingh. Data on sociodemographic, HSB, and QoL (Bangla WHOQoL-BREF) were collected. Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression identified predictors of HSB and QoL. Among 1052 participants, hypertension (36%), diabetes (24%), and cardiovascular disease (18%) were most common. Over half (58%) sought care only in emergencies, mainly due to financial (48%) and access (21%) barriers. Education strongly predicted proactive HSB (p<0.001), whereas employment was negatively associated with follow-up and visits (p<0.01). Socioeconomic status predicted higher QoL (β=0.174 and p<0.001), and rural residents reported significantly lower QoL than urban counterparts (p<0.001). Men had better psychological health than women (p<0.001). Overall, findings highlight socioeconomic, occupational, and geographic disparities in care-seeking and QoL. Patients with NCDs in Bangladesh face delayed care-seeking, rural-urban disparities, and low uptake of lifestyle modifications. Interventions should prioritize community-based screening, financial protection schemes, and health literacy programs to improve preventive care and QoL.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to examine medication adherence, health-seeking behavior, and quality of life among informal caregivers of diabetic patients in Can Tho City, Vietnam, and to explore relationships among these variables. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational design was conducted among 270 informal caregivers recruited by purposive sampling at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Research instrument: Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, adapted Barriers to Care Evaluation, and World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief Version. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and path analysis. Results: Findings revealed that caregivers reported low levels of medication adherence (48.15%), low barriers to health-seeking behavior (55.19%), and moderate quality of life (47.8%). Significant positive correlation was found between medication adherence and quality of life (r = 0.55, p &lt; 0.001), while health-seeking barriers were negatively associated with quality of life (r = -0.29, p &lt; 0.001). Path analysis confirmed that medication adherence partially mediated the relationship between health-seeking behavior and quality of life with a significant direct effect (β = -0.154, p &lt; 0.05), indirect effect (β = -0.137, p &lt; 0.001), and total effect (β = -0.291, p &lt; 0.001) Conclusions: Nursing professionals and health educators should implement targeted interventions that enhance medication adherence and reduce barriers to health-seeking behavior among caregivers.

All human activities are geared towards making life more meaningful, and the desire to improve the quality of life has been taken as a fundamental and universal human drive. Studies that investigated quality of life using different predictors have produced varying results. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the predictive ability of perceived social support and health-seeking behavior on quality of life among the adult population in Port Harcourt. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and the study population was selected using a purposive sampling technique. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 254 participants using validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to test one hypothesis and were accepted at a p &lt; .05 level of significance. The results demonstrated that perceived social support and health-seeking behavior jointly predicted quality of life among study participants [R² = .19, F(2, 252) = 5.956, p &lt; .05], indicating a significant effect on quality of life. The implication of this finding is a wake-up call to public health professionals, community stakeholders, and urban healthcare development authorities to provide social support through empowerment programs and create centers where individuals can access information on health-seeking behavior, thereby improving their quality of life.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition among women, yet many do not seek care due to limited knowledge and stigma. To evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored educational animation video in improving UI-related knowledge, health-seeking behavior, and quality of life. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 354 community-dwelling women with UI in Sing Buri, Thailand. Participants were randomized to receive a 4.5 min UI animation video or a control health education session. The primary outcome was UI knowledge proficiency (PIKQ-UI), assessed immediately and at 2-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included quality of life (IIQ-7) and health-seeking behavior. The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher UI knowledge proficiency post-intervention (89% vs. 13%, RR 6.67, p < 0.001) and at 2 months (42% vs. 13%, RR 3.18, p < 0.001). They also reported improved health-seeking behavior (mean score 40.16 vs. 36.33, p < 0.001) and better quality of life (IIQ-7 score 25.67 vs. 31.20, p = 0.002). A brief, culturally adapted animation video significantly improved UI knowledge and health-seeking behavior, and was associated with better quality of life compared with controls, although no significant within-group improvement was observed from baseline. This low-cost, scalable intervention may be valuable in resource-limited settings. Thai Clinical Trials Registry TCTR20220601002 (retrospectively registered).

Background Cervical cancer continues to pose a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income nations where healthcare access is constrained. Patient outcomes and quality of life are significantly influenced by health-seeking behaviours and coping strategies. This study explores the health-seeking practices and spiritual coping mechanisms of individuals with cervical cancer, emphasizing their connections to demographic factors. Objective To assess the levels of health-seeking behaviour and religious coping among cervical cancer patients and explore their association with demographic variables. Materials and Methods Descriptive research design was employed with a sample size of 50 participants, selected usingpurposive sampling technique. Data collection involved a socio-demographic questionnaire, a health-seeking behaviour questionnaire, and a religious coping scale. Results The findings revealed that 60% of patients exhibited low health-seeking behaviour, 40% demonstrated moderate levels, and none achieved high levels. Religious coping was moderate in 66.67% of participants, while 33.33% reported low levels. A significant moderate positive correlation was observed between health-seeking behaviour and religious coping scores. Demographic factors, such as family type and socioeconomic status, influenced health-seeking behaviours, while age was associated with lower religious coping scores. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of addressing health-seeking behaviours and religious coping strategies in cervical cancer care. Insights can inform interventions that cater to both medical and spiritual needs, enhancing support and health outcomes for patients.

Continence Care Literature Review 2012

Objective. Panic disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by spontaneous and unexpected panic attacks of varying frequency. Clinically manifest PD is widespread among the general population in developed countries worldwide. This study is aimed to identify factors influencing Taiwanese patients’ decision to seek psychiatric help and to assess relationships between patients’ health-seeking behaviors and quality of life (QOL). Methods. One hundred patients from the outpatient psychiatric clinic of a university hospital in Taiwan were evaluated for PD. Results. Delayed diagnosis of panic disorder, high comorbidity with other mental and physical disorders, and high utilization of health care services were identified. Thirty-three percent of PD patients sought alternative therapies, delaying their seeking psychiatric care. Conclusions. More PD patients in Taiwan seek care from family practitioners and alternative and complementary medicine than from psychiatrists. Taiwanese patients with PD who seek psychiatric consultation more than one year after disease onset have lower QOL and lower physical health scores.

Transgender people are more likely to experience heightened risks of physical and psychological distress and tend to report a poorer quality of life compared to the general population. This study aimed to determine the quality of life and self-esteem, health-seeking behaviour, and to explore the lived experiences among transgender women. Using the snowball sampling technique, 73 transgender women were included in this mixed-methods study. Quantitative data were collected through the Short-Form-12 (SF-12) and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES). Maximum variation sampling was employed to select 10 participants for the qualitative component, aiming to gain in-depth insights into their personal experiences and health-seeking behaviours. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for analysis. A thematic analysis approach was used to represent qualitative findings. The mean age of the participants was 30.93 (SD = 4.70) years. Findings revealed that participants had poor mental (Mean µ = 38.80) and physical (Mean µ = 38.08) health. The cohort demonstrated a notably high level of self-esteem (Mean µ = 30.93 ± 4.70). A substantial proportion (76.7%) of participants experienced discrimination or mistreatment while seeking healthcare services, stating unfavorable experiences (19.2%) and strongly unsatisfied (5.5%), whereas more than half (56.2%) avoided giving any opinions. From the qualitative analysis, three major themes emerge: discovering my true identity as transgender person, survival in a world of discrimination, violence, and trauma, and struggle with economic, professional, and legal challenges. In our study, participants reported lower mental and physical health, experienced discrimination, and had negative perceptions while accessing health services. The study carries important implications for the development of inclusive and high-quality healthcare services to ensure transgender people's access to and utilization of healthcare.

The health and economic burdens of HIV/AIDS in low-and-middle-income countries are enormous despite global and local efforts to prevent and mitigate its effect. This study seeks to assess cadres’ (or people living with HIV [PLHIV]) health-seeking behavior and its effects on their quality of life (QoL). We collected cross-sectional data from 218 HIV community cadres and 255 noncadres in 11 out of the 16 political regions in Ghana based on a modified WHOQOL-HIV-Brief and EQ-5D questionnaires. We used descriptive statistics to describe the sample and calculate the QoL scores. We also used regression analysis (ordered logit and ordinary least squares) to analyze the factors associated with the QoL of our respondents. We found that women (77%) are still disproportionally affected by HIV. Similarly, the youth, less educated and informal sector employees continue to be affected most by HIV. Factors related to QoL of PLHIV include being a community cadre, health-seeking behavior, comorbidities, and employment type. We recommend that alternative health providers be educated on the basic science of HIV/AIDS to help them offer appropriate support to PLHIV who visit them for care. Additionally, PLHIV should be supported to engage in less energy demanding employment options.

Objective: The aim of this scoping review was to explore what is known about the health seeking behaviors among Syrian refugee women within hospital and community settings. The objectives were to explore health seeking behaviors of Syrian refugee women and highlight specific issues that are important to Syrian refugee women related to seeking for health care. In addition, to uncover potential obstacles/barriers that face Syrian refugee women while seeking for health care.Methods: Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework for scoping review was utilized to guide the review process and to explore health seeking behaviors of Syrian refugee women. Various databases such as, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Science direct and SocINDEX were utilized in the review. The search strategy consisted of broad queries, in the title, abstract, full texts and keyword fields. The search included studies published from 2011 on, that is, from the time the Syrian conflict started (March 2011) and were limited to those in the English language. Thematic analysis was undertaken to synthesize extracted data.Results: A total of 19 studies were selected for this review. The data from this review were organized along two thematic categories (accessibility of health care services) and (awareness of health care needs and available health care services). Accessibility of health care services was the most frequently reported theme throughout this area of the literature and is most often include (financial barriers, language barriers, availability of culturally and gender appropriate health services). Awareness of health care needs and available health care services was the second commonly encountered theme within the area of Syrian refugee’s women health seeking behaviors.Conclusions: Having available and accessible health care services for Syrian refugee women in host countries is a fundamental human right that can enhance Syrian refugee women health, wellbeing and quality of life. An awareness of the potential health seeking behaviors, obstacles/barriers and challenges that facing Syrian refugee women may help to promote their accessibility to health services and consequently improve their health and wellbeing. Practitioners can use this review findings to inform future policy, education and developments in practice. Further research is required to develop and evaluate initiatives that target the identified barriers and help Syrian refugee women to fulfil their unmet health care needs.

Background: According to census 2011 the elderly population aged 60 years and above account for 8% of total population and is projected to rise to 12.4% by the year 2026. Health status is an important factor that has a significant impact on quality of life. The elderly is one of the most vulnerable and high risk groups in terms of health status and their health seeking behaviour is crucial in any society.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out for a period of 1 year for which a predesigned and semi-structured questionnaire was used and a total of 440 elderly were interviewed by house to house survey.Results: In our study it was found that the majority of the subjects (36.8%) were in the age group of 60-64 years, 52.5% were illiterate, 51.1% were unemployed and 49% belonged to class IV socio economic status. Any degree of formal schooling was found to be associated with better health seeking behavior. Majority of the subjects (58%) visited a government health facility in case of an illness and the main reason that was stated for not visiting a health facility was that they suffered from mild discomfort (44.4%) and did not consider it necessary to visit a health facility.Conclusions: It was observed that more number of males visited a health care facility in case of an illness, 241 (92.7%) whereas only 154 (85.6%) females visited a health facility in case of an illness. This difference was found to be statistically significant.

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common yet underrecognized condition among women and is associated with substantial physical, psychological, and social consequences. Despite its significant impact on quality of life, many affected women do not seek medical care because of embarrassment, stigma, or misconceptions regarding the condition. Limited data are available regarding the burden of UI and its effect on the quality of life among women in Saudi Arabia.Objective: To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence and evaluate its impact on quality of life among women in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women residing in Saudi Arabia using a structured self-administered electronic questionnaire. Adult women aged 18 years and older were included, while pregnant women and those with neurological disorders affecting bladder function were excluded. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric and medical history, urinary incontinence characteristics, quality of life impact, and health-seeking behavior. Quality of life was assessed using Likert-scale responses across multiple domains. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, USA), and associations between urinary incontinence and selected variables were evaluated using the chi-square test, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 442 women participated in the study. Urinary incontinence was reported by 40.3% (n = 178) of participants, while 59.7% (n = 264) reported no symptoms. Stress urinary incontinence was the most common subtype, reported by 38.2% (n = 68) of affected women, followed by mixed urinary incontinence in 32.6% (n = 58) and urge urinary incontinence in 23.6% (n = 42). The prevalence of UI increased with age, reaching 61.1% (n = 44) among women aged 50 years or older. Moderate to severe impairment in overall quality of life was reported by 61.8% (n = 110) of affected participants. Emotional well-being was moderately to severely affected in 65.2% (n = 116), while daily activities were moderately to severely affected in 61.8% (n = 110). Despite the significant burden, only 36.0% (n = 64) of affected women sought medical advice, whereas 64.0% (n = 114) did not seek healthcare. The most common barriers to seeking care were embarrassment, reported by 36.8% (n = 42), and the belief that UI is a normal condition, reported by 29.8% (n = 34).Conclusion: Urinary incontinence is highly prevalent among women in Saudi Arabia and is associated with considerable impairment in quality of life. The condition particularly affects emotional well-being, daily functioning, and social participation. Despite its impact, healthcare-seeking behavior remains low because of social and cultural barriers. Increased awareness, early screening, and targeted public health interventions are essential to improve recognition, management, and quality of life outcomes among affected women.

The objective of this qualitative study of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee was to evaluate the influence of different pain patterns on their quality of life and to investigate their interpretation and coping strategies for the disease using patient interviews. Patients were recruited by convenience sampling in a private general practice clinic in Hong Kong. Those screened positive for OA of the knee were asked to self-evaluate their average pain score and classify the severity of their OA before attending a semi-structured interview by a research assistant. Twenty patients were interviewed and 98 codes were identified. The content was analyzed independently by two researchers who were not doing the interviews. Codes and themes generated were analyzed based on the grounded theory. A wide range of symptoms was described by patients with OA of the knee, in which pain was the most prominent symptom. Most patients (80%) described two different types of pain, mechanical and inflammatory pain, each presenting with a different pain quality and onset pattern. Most patients self-graded their OA severity at a level higher than their corres­ponding pain score, indicating that there may be other variables that patients would consider during self-evaluation of severity. More than half of the participants seek medical assistance late because their health-seeking behavior was affected by their perception of the problem, concern, and expectation from treatment. The study findings can help healthcare providers to understand and be aware of the existence of two pain patterns, mechanical and inflammatory pain in knee OA, as well as to appreciate the great variations of symptoms, the different perspectives, and the different coping and health-seeking behaviors among knee OA patients during their management. Finally, this study also provides a useful basis for further research on topics like factors that affect patients’ self-evaluated disease severity and efficacy of interventions specific for the two different pain patterns associated with knee OA.