Health Seeking Research Articles

Health Seeking Behaviour among the Internally Displaced Persons in the North East Nigeria: Case Study of Tuberculosis Patients

Over two million people are internally displaced in north-eastern Nigeria due to the complex humanitarian catastrophe. Overcrowded and unclean living conditions increase the risk of tuberculosis (TB) transmission, sickness, and death. The seeking behaviour of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northeastern Nigeria was explored to improve disease surveillance and response in IDP camps and host communities.

Parental practices and perspectives on health and digital technology use information seeking for children aged 0-36 months.

Parents commonly seek information to support the health and well-being of their children. The increasing availability of health information online and social changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic may have changed what information is sought, from whom, where, and why. This qualitative study explored parents' practices and perspectives on seeking health and digital technology use information for their young children. Twenty parents, living in Australia (7 rural, 3 remote, and 10 metropolitan), with children aged 0-36 months completed a semi-structured interview. Parents commonly turned to friends and family and online sources to access health information for their young children. For all types of health information, including digital technology use, themes were identified surrounding aspects of information sources participants valued and accessibility of health services. Perceived credibility and trustworthiness, relatability with other parents, ease of accessibility and convenience, and actionable, bite-sized information were valued. Reduced accessibility to health services due to COVID-19 and geographical location, and need for agency in managing their child's health influenced parents' choice of source of information. Few participants actively sought information about digital technology use for their young child, with the main focus on screen time. Interactions with family and friends and online sources are important to parents when accessing health information for their child. Parents valued information sources which they considered trustworthy, credible, and relatable, as well as easily accessible and convenient. SO WHAT?: Dissemination of health information reflecting these values may empower parents during this early stage of parenthood.

Assessment of Health Seeking Behaviour of the Elderly in a Rural Community of Sokoto State, Nigeria

Introduction: The ageing populations of Nigeria has increased from 4.61% in 2020 to 4.78 % in 2022 and are vulnerable to long term diseases of insidious onset such as cardiovascular illness, Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), cancers, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disease. This study was carried out to assess the health problems of the elderly ad their health seeking behaviours. Materials and methods: This was cross-sectional descriptive study carried out amongst elderly persons aged 60 years and above in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto state. Using a combination of multistage and systematic sampling methods, a total of 347 respondents were recruited into the study. A set of pretested questionnaire was used for data collection after obtaining ethical approval and informed consent from study subjects. Results: Less than half of the respondents (47.8%) had appropriate health seeking practices by visiting health facilities during spells of illness. The commonest illness experienced by the elderly in this community was musculoskeletal diseases followed by hypertension and visual problems. A total of 95.7% of the respondents were not covered with any form of health insurance scheme. Predictors of health seeking behavior included duration of illness more than ten years and belonging to upper socio-economic class. Conclusion: Very few of the elderly in this community had appropriate health seeking behavior with most of them not covered by any health insurance. There is the need to establish the community based health insurance scheme and bring on board all elderly persons so as to minimize out of pocket expenses by the aged.

Refreshed implementation strategy for respectful maternity care through policy dialog in Kenya

Background: Kenya’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has demonstrated its commitment to quality, respectful health care through the development of national RMNC/PCC policies embedded in existing RMNCAH policies. However, the MOH has identified a gap in the implementation of RMNC policies. Methods: MCGL conducted global and Kenya-specific literature reviews on topics including mistreatment, respectful newborn care, and best practices for RMNC interventions. In addition, qualitative data were obtained through three focused group discussions, and 15 key informant interviews (KIIs) at various levels. Results: Most studies have assessed manifestations, prevalence, and to, to a lesser extent, drivers of disrespect and abuse or mistreatment in facility childbirth. Respondents from the KIIs described cases of mistreatment including harassment, rudeness, denial of services, lack of privacy, and violence. In a 2017 qualitative study, participants described a lack of leadership, stewardship, and accountability toward existing RMNC policies, leading to a lack of implementation. The Kenya Free Maternity Policy recommended that despite this policy, women may still not attend health facilities for maternity care. Newborn experience has largely been excluded from the conversation of RMNC, which has an impact on women and providers with long-lasting effects on their mental health and future care seeking. KIIs were familiar with qualitative methods of measuring mistreatment through exit interviews. Conclusion: Counties are at different stages of advancing respectful care for mothers and newborns and integrating RMNC into existing primary healthcare systems. SA provides evidence regarding the development and implementation of effective RMNC policies and programs both globally and in Kenya.

Vulnerability to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) / Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among adolescent girls and young women in India: A rapid review.

Limited evidence is available on the vulnerability of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to sexual risk behaviour and STI/HIV. Though there are almost no statistics available on vulnerability, related literature suggests that AGYW have low awareness about sexual risk behaviour/ transmission and the prevalence of STI/HIV, making them vulnerable. We conducted a rapid review of peer-reviewed studies addressing transmission network, prevalence, incidence awareness, common determinants of sexual risk behaviour/STI/HIV, health-seeking behaviour and existing interventions addressing the situation among AGYW (age 15-24) to inform the evidence gap in this crucial area of research. We registered the study in PROSPERO (CRD42023403713). We developed detailed inclusion/exclusion criteria, searched JSTOR, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Population Council Knowledge Commons databases and followed the guidance from Cochrane Rapid Review to develop the rapid review. We also searched the bibliography of the included studies. We included the English language peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative, mixed method studies published from Jan 1 2000 to Mar 31 2023. Six reviewers extracted data, and the seventh reviewer independently assessed the quality. Ninety-six studies met the inclusion criteria. We used descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis methods for data analysis. We also conducted a Risk of Bias Assessment (RoB) to check the quality of the included studies. Inadequate literature was found on the transmission network. Prevalence and awareness of STI/HIV are low among AGYW. However, Female Sex Workers, sex-trafficked women or drug users in this age group suffer more. Age, education, income, relationship dynamics with spouses/partners, multiple partners, and substance use are crucial in determining STI/HIV. Traditional sources of health seeking are more popular than formal sources because of social stigma. Mass media campaigns, community mobilization programs, and life skills training programs increase awareness about HIV, condom use and self-efficacy. The inclusion of only English language studies and not conducting meta-analysis because of high heterogeneity are some of the limitations of the study.

Sex differences in growth and neurocognitive development in infancy and early childhood.

Undernutrition in early life remains a significant public health challenge affecting millions of infants and young children globally. Children who are wasted, stunted or underweight are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Undernutrition at critical periods also impacts on aspects of neurodevelopment, with longer-term consequences to educational performance and mental health outcomes. Despite consistent evidence highlighting an increased risk of neonatal and infant mortality among boys, a common assumption held across many disciplines is that girls are more vulnerable with respect to early-life exposures. In relation to undernutrition, however, recent evidence indicates the reverse, and in contexts of food insecurity, boys are at increased risk of undernutrition in early life compared to girls, with sex-specific risks for neurodevelopmental deficits. These effects appear independent of social factors that may favour boys, such as gender disparities in infant feeding practices and health-seeking behaviours. The observed vulnerability among boys may therefore be underpinned by biological processes such as differential energy requirements during periods of rapid growth. As boys have greater needs for growth and maintenance, then, in times of nutritional hardship, these needs may not be met resulting in risk of undernutrition and subsequent health consequences. In view of this emerging evidence, a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind this vulnerability among boys is needed and policy considerations to protect boys should be considered. This review will explore sex differences in risk of undernutrition and consider these in the context of existing programmes and policies.

HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS HYPERTENSION AMONG ADULT TRADERS IN AHIA OHURU MARKET, ABA ABIA STATE

The study examined health seeking behavior towards hypertension among adult traders in Ahia Ohuru Market Aba, Abia State. The state was randomly selected while the market was purposively chosen because it was one of the largest. Thereafter, 342 adult traders were selected by balloting. Information on adults’socio-demographic and health seeking behavior were gathered using questionnaire. Digital automatic blood pressure monitor was used to measure their blood pressures. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze data collected while association was tested using chi square. Result showed that 35.3% and 14.9% visited private and government health facilities, respectively while 4.1% sought traditional health practitioners and 2.3% faith healers. On self-medication with herbal drugs, 22.5% and 28.1% did that most times when they were ill and for illness they considered severe. For pharmaceutical drugs, 46.5% and 14.2% self-medicated with them when sick and did that for mild illnesses most times, respectively Blood pressure readings revealed that 39.4% had normal, 30.8% were pre-hypertensive and 18.9% and 10.9% had stages I and II hypertension, respectively. Association between adults’ health seeking behavior and blood pressure was positive and significant with visit to private health facility, self -medication with herbal, pharmaceutical drugs and faith healers with X2 and p-values of 12.56; 0.057, 23.67; 0.036, 27.56; 0.027 and 17.34; 0.043, respectively. In conclusion, seeking health care in questionable places or self- medication plus other factors may adversely affect onset and progression of hypertension.

Barriers and Facilitators to Screening for Kidney Disease Among Older Adults with Hypertension and Diabetes in Mbarara Southwestern Uganda: Healthcare Providers' Perspective.

Screening for kidney disease (KD) among high-risk patients (patients with hypertension or diabetes) allows early diagnosis, intervention and delayed progression of the disease. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), KD screening is still sub-optimal. This study explored the healthcare providers' perceived barriers and facilitators to KD screening among older adults with hypertension and diabetes in Mbarara southwestern Uganda. This was a descriptive qualitative study among healthcare providers caring for older adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in southwestern Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed to develop themes of barriers and facilitators. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews among healthcare providers. Barriers to screening for kidney disease included patient related factors according to healthcare providers (financial hardships, poor health seeking behavior, limited knowledge and awareness), healthcare factors (work overload, ineffective patient healthcare provider communication) and system/policy related factors (lack of laboratory supplies, lack of guidelines and poor medical record keeping and documentation). With respect to facilitators, we found formation of peer support groups, effective team, and continuous medical education (CME). Healthcare providers encounter substantial but modifiable barriers in screening older adults for KD. The identification of barriers and facilitators in timely KD detection gives us an outlook of the problem in Uganda and leads for proposals of action. Interventions that address these barriers and promote facilitators may improve the healthcare provider's effectiveness and capacity to care including screening for patients at risk of KD.

Integrating the HBM and the PEN-3 model to explain the health behavior of persons with DLD

Background: Investigating factors that dictate the health-seeking process in persons with developmental language disorders (DLDs) is critical for enhancing early intervention and effective utilization of treatment services among persons with DLDs. This study sought to understand factors that determine health seeking in persons with DLDs using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the PEN-3 model. Methods: A qualitative study of 36 semi-structured interviews explored health-seeking behavior among stakeholders involved in the management of children with DLDs. Interviews were conducted with parents, teachers, and speech-language therapists on health behaviors and factors that dictate health behavior during intervention seeking. Data coding was done inductively, and analysis was carried out using qualitative content analysis. Results: Findings revealed that both the HBM and the PEN-3 model were well represented in the dataset, and that integration of both models contributes to a systematic understanding of health behavior in persons with DLDs. Conclusion: The study details how demographic, psychological, and sociocultural variables interact to shape the health-seeking process among persons with DLDs and the resulting impact of these interactions on the effective management of DLDs.

Mental health literacy and seeking for professional help among secondary school students in Slovakia: a brief report.

Secondary school students are at risk for mental health problems, especially nowadays, when we face an increase in mental health issues among adolescents and the general population. Mental health literacy (MHL) and help-seeking behavior are considered protective factors; however, we lack data on the levels of MHL in secondary school students and how MHL is developed in schools. This correlational and comparative study was designed to investigate mental health literacy (MHL) and help-seeking behavior among secondary school students in Slovakia. A convenient sample of 250 Slovak secondary school students responded to an anonymous online survey consisting of two scales (Mental Health Literacy Scale and Self-stigma of Seeking Help). Significant differences in mental health literacy (t(248) = 5.56; p ≤ 0.0) and stigma of seeking help (t(248) = -4.33; p ≤ 0.01) were observed between students in general and vocational secondary school. Students in general secondary school who attended optional psychology courses had the highest scores in mental health literacy (U = 987; p = 0.003). These preliminary findings showed that secondary students with a higher level of mental health literacy reported a lower level of self-stigmatization related to seeking professional mental health help (r = -0.339; p ≤ 0.01). Implementing mental health education into secondary school curricula can potentially help increase mental health literacy and decrease self-stigma of seeking help.

Screening for post-TB lung disease at TB treatment completion: Are symptoms sufficient?

Pulmonary TB survivors face a high burden of post-TB lung disease (PTLD) after TB treatment completion. In this secondary data analysis we investigate the performance of parameters measured at TB treatment completion in predicting morbidity over the subsequent year, to inform programmatic approaches to PTLD screening in low-resource settings. Cohort data from urban Blantyre, Malawi were used to construct regression models for five morbidity outcomes (chronic respiratory symptoms or functional limitation, ongoing health seeking, spirometry decline, self-reported financial impact of TB disease, and death) in the year after PTB treatment, using three modelling approaches: logistic regression; penalised regression with pre-selected predictors; elastic net penalised regression using the full parent dataset. Predictors included demographic, clinical, symptom, spirometry and chest x-ray variables. The predictive performance of models were examined using the area under the receiver-operator curve (ROC AUC) values. Key predictors were identified, and their positive and negative predictive values (NPV) determined. The presence of respiratory symptoms at TB treatment completion was the strongest predictor of morbidity outcomes. TB survivors reporting breathlessness had higher odds of spirometry decline (aOR 20.5, 95%CI:3-199.1), health seeking (aOR 10.2, 2.4-50), and symptoms or functional limitation at 1-year (aOR 16.7, 3.3-133.4). Those reporting activity limitation were more likely to report symptoms or functional limitation at 1-year (aOR 4.2, 1.8-10.3), or severe financial impact of TB disease (aOR2.3, 1.0-5.0). Models were not significantly improved by including spirometry or imaging parameters. ROC AUCs were between 0.65-0.77 for the morbidity outcomes. Activity limitation at treatment completion had a NPV value of 78-98% for adverse outcomes. Our data suggest that whilst challenging to predict the development of post-TB morbidity, the use of symptom screening tools at TB treatment completion to prioritise post-TB care should be explored. We identified little benefit from the additional use of spirometry or CXR imaging.

Eye Health Seeking Behavior and Its Associated Factors among Adult Population in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

Purpose: This study was aimed to explore the eye health-seeking behaviors and its associated factors among adult population of Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Nigeria in order to promote individual determination for attaining better eye health-seeking behaviors. Methods: This study was a population-based descriptive cross-sectional survey of 802 adult population aged 18 years and above was conducted in Mangu L.G.A, Plateau State, Nigeria using a multi-stage cluster random sampling design. Sociodemographic and eye health-seeking behavior data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Vision status was defined using World Health Organization categories of visual impairment based on presenting Visual Acuity (VA). Data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0. All p-values reported were two tailed and significance was defined as P<0.05. Results: Although a total of 960 respondents were enumerated for the study, 802 (83.5%) adults participated. There were more female 525 (65.5%) than males 277 (34.5%). The majority 585 (72.9%) of respondents who had eye problems sought care for the eye problem. One hundred and fifty-seven (36.0%) and 153 (35.1%) sought care at the General hospital and at the community health centre respectively. While 38 (8.7%) and 29 (6.7%) sought care from ophthalmologists and Optometrists respectively. Cost of services (34.4%), language barrier (13.0%), decides not to seek care (10.1%) and transportation (9.1%) were the major reasons for not seeking eye care. Conclusion: Although the majority of the respondents sought care for their eye problems, quite a large number of them sought care from non-eye care professionals. Cost of services, language barrier, transportation and services not available in the area were the major factors associated with eye health-seeking behaviour. Reduction in cost of services and health insurance coverage will mitigate these barriers substantially.

Health Seeking Behavior to the Development of Public Policy for HIV Predicting Model

Health Seeking Behavior to the Development of Public Policy for HIV Predicting Model

Assessment of Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorder, Health Seeking Behaviour and Associated Factors Among Taxi Drivers in Addis Ababa

Assessment of Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorder, Health Seeking Behaviour and Associated Factors Among Taxi Drivers in Addis Ababa

Health seeking behaviours and private sector delivery of care for non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

BackgroundGlobally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity placing a huge burden on individuals, families and health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This rising disease burden calls for policy responses that engage the entire health care system. This study aims to synthesize evidence on how people with NCDs choose their healthcare providers in LMICs, and the outcomes of these choices, with a focus on private sector delivery.MethodsA systematic search for literature following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. We extracted and synthesised data on the determinants and outcomes of private health care utilisation for NCDs in LMICs. A quality and risk of bias assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).ResultsWe identified 115 studies for inclusion. Findings on determinants and outcomes were heterogenous, often based on a particular country context, disease, and provider. The most reported determinants of seeking private NCD care were patients having a higher socioeconomic status; greater availability of services, staff and medicines; convenience including proximity and opening hours; shorter waiting times and perceived quality. Transitioning between public and private facilities is common. Costs to patients were usually far higher in the private sector for both inpatient and outpatient settings. The quality of NCD care seems mixed depending on the disease, facility size and location, as well as the aspect of quality assessed.ConclusionGiven the limited, mixed and context specific evidence currently available, adapting health service delivery models to respond to NCDs remains a challenge in LMICs. More robust research on health seeking behaviours and outcomes, especially through large multi-country surveys, is needed to inform the effective design of mixed health care systems that effectively engage both public and private providers.Trial registrationPROSPERO registration number CRD42022340059.

Health Expenditure and Utilisation of Poor Families in a Low-Income Community under the Philippine Conditional Cash Transfer Program

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is the Philippine version of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program that measures human development through the provision of conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor. This research determines the health expenditure and utilisation of the poor families in a low-income community under the CCT program. A cross-sectional research design was adopted using mixed methods of data collection from 177 households between May and June 2017. Results reveal that most families under CCT devote the largest portion of household health expenditure for inpatient health seeking. About 40% of the total expenditure is covered by the National Health Insurance Program and the cost for hospitalisation mostly comes from the out-of-pocket source. Moreover, the common problems encountered during health utilisation and spending are poor customer service of healthcare facilities and uncompensated hospital bill by health insurance.

Understanding the Pattern of Health Seeking Behaviour of Indigenous Communities: A Discussion on Rajbanshis of Koch Bihar

Individual or community Health care seeking is always linked to a decision-making process that is influenced by a variety of variables, including household habits, social norms, health beliefs and disease perceptions, as well as the accessibility and availability of medical facilities. Thus, care seeking is diverse in nature. Indigenous communities define medical care, illness etiology, and treatment within social contexts. Their recent embrace of contemporary medications and medical facilities has changed the nature of care seeking behaviour. The current study is based on a primary field study that was carried out among the Rajbanshis of Koch Bihar and demonstrates the type and degree of indigenous peoples' acceptance of both traditional and modern health care systems.

Health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening among women aged 30–49 years in Arbaminch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2023

BackgroundCervical cancer is a preventable disease. However, it remains the commonest and deadly cancer in women worldwide. Health care seeking behaviour is not well studied in Ethiopia even though it is crucial in averting cervical cancer by maximizing cervical cancer screening utilization. Therefore, this study amid to assess health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening and its associated factors among women aged 30–49 years in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2023.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 414 women who are in the age range of 30–49 in Arba Minch town from January 2-February20, 2023. Study participants were selected by a simple random sampling technique from all kebeles and data were collected using pretested interviewer administered questionnaires. SPSS version 27 was used to conduct binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were described using descriptive statistics. Furthermore, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were made to find the factors associated with health care seeking behaviour. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 on binary logistic regression were selected for multivariable logistic regression. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The reliability and internal consistency of the constructs of health belief model were calculated independently using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultThe prevalence of health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening was 197(47.6%) [95%CI: 42.7-52.5%]. Respondents’ good knowledge [AOR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.01–2.39], positive perceived susceptibility [AOR = 3.63, 95%CI: 2.06–6.42], positive perceived severity [AOR = 2.65, 95%CI: 1.71–4.09], positive perceived benefits [AOR = 4.85, 95%CI: 2.92–7.87] were significantly associated with health seeking behaviour.ConclusionThe prevalence of health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening is low in this study. To maximize the health care seeking behavior of women, further acting on perceived susceptibility, respondents’ knowledge, perceived severity, and perceived benefit of the woman are crucial.

Neonatal and Infant Illnesses and Health Seeking Behavior Among Hilly (Porja) Tribal Community: A Qualitative Observational Study

Objectives: The study explores the health-seeking behavior for neonatal and infant illnesses of the Porja hilly tribe in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: This study was a community-based qualitative observational study conducted from July 2022 to February 2023. In-depth interviews ( n = 31) were conducted with parents of neonates and infants. Two focus group discussions (involving 12 each) were conducted to validate the findings with other female family members such as, grandmothers. Data collection was carried out by using a semi-structured questionnaire on traditional practices and basic socio-demographic characteristics along with an in-depth interview guide for undertaking qualitative interviews. Results: Qualitative findings were analyzed using the thematic framework approach, followed by the analysis of data from the field notes. Three themes (along with six sub-themes) were generated: (a) Early essential care, (b) Emergency of hospital care, (c) Effective Ethnomedical/Ritualistic Care (not requiring hospital care) which explained the tribal parents’ ways of care and treatment for their neonates and infants from various morbidity and mortality risks. Discussion: Culture-specified traditional beliefs play crucial roles in shaping the neonatal and infant health of indigenous hilly tribal communities. Preserving the beneficial traditional methods and preventing harmful practices can help improve the overall child health status in such resource scanty settings with inadequate neonatal services.

Health Seeking Behavior and Self-Medication Practice among Undergraduate Medical Students in a Selected Private Medical College in Bangladesh

There is a need to have a formal health program for the medical students, set guidelines for students to follow if they fall ill and provision of rational medication. Students need to be made aware of the dangers of self-treatment and investigation. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the undergraduate medical students of US Bangla Medical College (USBMC), Narayangonj from July to December 2022. The study aims to assess the health seeking behavior and self-medication among the students. Data were collected by interviewing students using a pre-designed questionnaire and twenty Likert items were prepared for data collection. Data were analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 25. Total 293 students were interviewed, among them male - female ratio was 1.23:1 and the age range of the participants was 17 to 28 years. Most of the (70%) students were belonged to upper-middle class family; where 21% from upper class, 8% from lower middle class, and only 1% from the working class family. Regarding the father's educational status of the students more than two-third (69%) of their fathers completed university degree, 29% completed higher secondary or secondary level of education and few (2%) had informal education. Most of the students (81%) used to take medicine without prescription/ self medication. Among the students around one-fourth of them used to take both paracetamol (26%) and painkiller (24%) as self-medication; where 13% of the students used to take antibiotic. Regarding the opinion of the well established definition of ‘Health’ that is “Health includes physical, mental and social well-being and not just absence of disease/ infirmity” most of the students (90%) gave positive statement (agree 58% and strongly agree 32%); where 5% of them were neutral and rest 5% were disagreed. Nearly two-third (65%) of the students expressed their opinion positively (agree 49% and strongly agree 16%) on “seek help immediately when they develop some physical symptoms” that is they seek immediate help for their illness; where 14% of them were neutral and rest 21% were disagreed. More than one-third (35%) of the students stated the reason for self-medication related to their too busy schedule to visit physician and 21% stated that the illness was too minor for consultation; other reasons were knowledge about the drug and illness, follow old prescription, over the counter drugs etc. Almost one-third (30%) of the students opined positively that public health care facilities provide standard health care, but more than one-third (36%) did not comment and rest one-third (34%) differed on it. Remarkably used self-medicated drugs were paracetamol (26%), painkiller (24%), 13% and others NSAIDs/ Analgesics, Antacid/ PPI, Vitamins, antitussive, antihistamines. The statistical test revealed that there is a strong relationship of their opinion on attention to mental physical well-being for healthy lively-hood between coping ability, seek the best care from college hospital and seek help for sensitive matters other than own college hospital (at 5% level of significance). To ensure better health seeking behavior and good practice knowledge of medical students was not absolutely satisfactory. Awareness regarding demerits of self-medication like antibiotics resistance and side effect of drugs would be build among the students. This study would facilitate for increase of medical knowledge and promotion of higher health-seeking behavior. Bangladesh Med J. 2022 Sept; 51(3): 37-42