Socio-Cultural Barriers in Health Seeking Behaviors among Female Patients Of Tuberculosis in Southern Punjab

Abstract

Background: In Pakistani Society, it is generally considered that woman’s place is at home, and they are discouraged to visit outside, Due to their non-visit to health facility they might have various health problems which remain undiagnosed or untreated. According to latest TB trends the female ratio in smear positive cases is increasing each year in the world which is indeed a serious threat. Objective of study is to find out the socio- cultural barriers faced by the women while seeking the health care services for TB and determine the relationship, if any, between the socio-cultural barriers and health seeking behavior.
 Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in two District Hospitals of the southern Punjab. This study provided snapshot of the current impact of socio-cultural factors on women health-care seeking behaviors. In-depth interview on a structured questionnaire was applied on 190 women TB Patients selected through simple random probability sampling technique.
 Results: The results showed that a significant majority (58%) of the female TB patients were not satisfied of organizational management, (86%) with travelling cost, (77%) with non-availability of transport. Among female patients 95% were concerned for far distance of health care facility and 62% claimed to have less family support. The most (87%) of respondents were of the opinion that women associated with TB are more affected due to social stigma and community pressures and 59% think that delay in seeking treatment is due to social stigma. These concerns or barriers put the negative affect on treatment seeking behavior of the TB patient. The organizational factors, travelling, family, financial and social stigma related barriers plays a vital role in delay of the TB treatment for female patients.
 Conclusion: This study concludes that health seeking behaviour of Female TB patients is related with the socio cultural barriers.