Health Seeking Behaviour Of Women Research Articles

Exploring providers' perceived barriers to utilization of antenatal and delivery services in urban and rural communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria: A qualitative study.

To determine providers' perceived barriers to utilization of antenatal and delivery services in urban and rural communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria. A descriptive exploratory study design was used. Qualitative data was collected through the use of a pre-tested interview guide. Twelve providers participated in the study in urban and rural communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. They included nine officers in charge of primary health centers, two Chief Nursing Officers of a tertiary health institution and mission hospital and one Medical Officer-in-charge of a General hospital. QDA Miner Lite v2.0.6 was used in the analysis of the data. Most providers in urban and rural communities attributed good utilization of maternal health services to delivery of quality care. Most providers in urban linked poor utilization to poor health seeking behavior of women. In rural, poor utilization was credited to poor attitude of health workers. Few of participants (urban and rural) pointed out the neglect of primary health centers resulting in poor utilization. Most participants (urban and rural) considered ignorance as the main barrier to using health facilities for antenatal and delivery services. Another constraint identified was cost of services. Most participants attested that good provider attitude and public enlightenment will improve utilization of health facilities for antenatal and delivery care. All participants agreed on the need to involve men in matters related to maternal healthcare. Participants were aware of values of good provider attitude and this is commendable. This combined with the finding of poor attitude of health workers necessitates that health workers should be trained on quality of care. There is need for public enlightenment on need to utilize health facilities for antenatal and delivery services. Community ownership of primary health centers especially in rural communities will enhance utilization of such facilities for maternal healthcare services and should be encouraged. Involvement of men in matters related to maternal healthcare may have a positive influence in improving maternal health in Nigeria.

Determinants of health seeking behaviour of women with obstetric fistula in south- south and south east, Nigeria: A review of the impact of availability and quality of health care services through a cross-sectional study

Background: Obstetric fistula is a condition that results from obstructed labour, which occurs when the baby cannot pass through the mother’s birth canal because it either does not come head first or is too large for her pelvis. Prompt medical intervention, often including Caesarean section, permits a safe delivery for both mother and child. Despite this possibility, yearly, thousands of women across the country receive no such aid and their labour is a futile agony lasting between three and five days, with uterine contractions constantly forcing the baby, usually head first, against the organs of the pelvic and unyielding pelvic bone resulting in Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF). The main thrust of this study was to examine how health system factors affect health seeking behaviour of women with obstetric fistula in Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States, Nigeria. Methods: Qualitative and descriptive research approaches were adopted for the study and a total sample of two hundred and sixteen (216) respondents comprising of one hundred and fifty (150) post fistula repair operative patients and sixty six (66) health workers were purposively selected using simple random techniques. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and tables of frequency. Results: The respondents views showed that availability of treatment centre and quality of health care services influenced health seeking behaviour of women with obstetric fistula in Nigeria. Conclusion: The study indicated that health seeking behaviour of women with obstetric fistula is a major challenge in Nigeria. Establishment and proper equipment of obstetric fistula treatment centres as well as subsidization of the cost of treatment to allow women with this health problem to access health care services are strongly recommended. Therefore, government at all level and non-governmental organizations need to educate the women and create awareness on the causes and dangers of VVF.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Domestic Violence in Northeast India: Evidence From the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4).

Violence against women is now widely recognized as an important public health problem, owing to its health consequences. Domestic violence generally refers to violence against women that generally takes place in the matrimonial home, which includes physical, emotional, sexual as well as economical violence occurring in the adult relationship. Domestic violence has negative impact on the demographic outcome of a country or region, which includes the health and health seeking behavior of women. The present study is an attempt to investigate the socioeconomic factors that would significantly influence domestic violence in the northeastern region of India. The northeastern region of India comprises of eight states, including Manipur and Sikkim, which are reported having the highest and the least prevalence of domestic violence in the whole country according to NFHS-4. Considering these reports and having a different socioeconomic setup as compared to other states in the mainland India, we selected the region for the current study. Data from NFHS-4 conducted during 2015-16 is being employed for the present study. Findings show that education of women, wealth, women's working status, religion, parity of women, and husband's alcohol use are some of the significant covariates that might have influenced domestic violence. The overall prevalence of physical, emotional, sexual, and severe physical violence among women of northeastern India are 24.7%, 11.8%, 6.4%, and 5.3%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis computes the relative risks of categorical variables via the odds ratios. Those women who got higher education and are in upper wealth quintiles have less risk of experiencing domestic violence as compared to women in lower education and lower wealth quintile in northeastern India. There is no rural urban difference in experiencing domestic violence in the region.

Homoeopathy and menopausal syndrome: Health seeking behaviour of women aged 40-60 years in Chennai

Background: Menopause is the physiological process as it signifies the permanent cessation of menstruation and end to the reproductive potential. Menopause is the part of women’s life which plays a major role in second half of the women’s life where women face the transition phase from reproductive to non-reproductive phase of their lives. An estimated 80% of female’s experience physical or psychosocial symptoms while approaching menopause, leading to change in their quality of life (QOL). The previous outcome study and service evaluation of the homoeopathy service in 1999–2000, which found that 88% of patients reported clinically significant improvement in their primary symptoms of menopause. Objective: To assess the health seeking behaviour of women aged 40- 60 years for menopausal syndrome in homoeopathy.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among women aged between 40—60years during the period of March 2019 to May 2019(period of 3months) to know the health seeking behaviour of women approaching Homeopathy for menopausal symptoms. The Information was asked through direct personal interview.Results: The most common symptoms faced by women were mood swings (78.8%) and disturbance in the sleep (76.4%). Most of the respondents showed good prognosis w after homeopathic remedy (92.3%). The satisfaction gained through prescription of homoeopathic medicine was 96.2%.Conclusion: During this menopausal transition, women needs best counselling also the medicine to overcome her mental disturbances. RCT’s can be performed to prove this theory in future. In the conclusion, mood swings results suggest that homoeopathic remedies were effective in disturbed sleep and mood swings. Thus, homoeopathic medicine acts at mental plane. Further, studies should be done to prove with hypothesis.

<p>Incidence and Predictors of Pre-Eclampsia Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, North West Ethiopia: Prospective Cohort Study</p>

BackgroundPre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-induced hypertension that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation. It is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality globally, but it is higher in developing countries. In Ethiopia, conducting research on the incidence and predictors of pre-eclampsia is crucial due to the paucity of information.MethodsA prospective cohort study was undertaken using 242 pregnant women between November 1, 2018 and March 30, 2019 at Debre Markos Referral Hospital. All eligible women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Data were entered into the epic-data Version 4.2 and analyzed using the STATA Version 14.0 software. The Cox-proportional hazard regression model was fitted and Cox-Snell residual test was used to assess the goodness of fit. Pre-eclampsia free survival time was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier survival curve. Both bivariable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression models were fitted to identify predictors of pre-eclampsia.ResultsThe overall incidence rate of pre-eclampsia was 3.35 per 100 person-years. Having a pre-existing history of diabetes mellitus [AHR=2.7 (95% CI=1.43–8.81)], having a history of multiple pregnancy [AHR=3.4 (95% CI=2.8–6.9)] and being ≥35 years old age [AHR=2.5 (95% CI=1.42–3.54)] were the significant predictors of pre-eclampsia.ConclusionThe incidence of pre-eclampsia was high in this study. Having (pre-existing diabetes and multiple pregnancy) and being ≥35 years old age were the significant predictors of pre-eclampsia. Inspiring pregnant women’s health-seeking behavior should provide a chance to diagnose pre-eclampsia early to prevent the medical complication of pre-eclampsia.

Seeking healthcare at their \u2018right\u2019 time; the iterative decision process for women with breast cancer

BackgroundAbout 85% of breast cancer patients attending Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana, present with stage III/IV disease. In spite of great investments into the early diagnosis and management of breast cancer, late presentation persists and poses a barrier to realising the possible benefits of the gains made in breast cancer management. This study assessed the symptom appraisal and medical health seeking behaviour of women with either locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer attending breast clinic at KATH.MethodIn-depth interviews of women presenting with clinical stage III/IV breast cancer were conducted to explore the women’s care seeking pathways after symptom identification until arrival at KATH from May 2015 to March 2016. Thematic data analysis was conducted using the Andersen behavioural model for health service use.ResultsFifteen women aged 24–79 years were interviewed. The time from symptom identification to reporting to KATH was 4–24 months. The initial symptom was a breast lump or breast swelling which all the women identified themselves. These were initially appraised as not serious because most importantly, they did not interfere with their daily function. Symptom progression such as prevented them from undertaking their usual economic, social and family function triggered seeking care from health facilities. The availability of money to pay for care and diagnostic investigations influenced the time taken to navigate the referral pathway. While the women initially deferred healthcare for reasons related to their ability to perform economic, family and social roles, ultimately, aggressively pursuing healthcare was also for the same economic, family and social reasons or goals.ConclusionDeciding to seek care and pursue treatment for breast cancer symptoms may be much more complicated than it appears. Economic, family and social function significantly drive the health seeking process both at the personal and health facility phases of health seeking. Breast cancer education messages must be adapted to incorporate these functional goals and their influence on symptom appraisal and decision making to seek help and not just focus on the breast symptom as an isolated entity.

Obstacles to the realization of women's reproductive health rights in Zimbabwe.

Improving the sexual and reproductive health of young women allows them to reap the personal, social and economic benefits through making informed decisions on their health. Restrictions on the sexual and reproductive health rights of young women are discriminatory because they relegate women to a state of being less valuable than their male counterparts. This study explore s the obstacles that women face in asserting their reproductive health rights in Zimbabwe. For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which was analysed using narrative analysis techniques. The study found that polygamy and wife inheritance were among the challenges women faced that kept them from exercising their reproductive rights. Other forms of gender inequality also reduces the autonomy of women. Gender norms have an effect on the health seeking behaviour of women within the sexual and reproductive health ambit.

Quality of Life and Health-seeking behaviour of women with Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Quality of Life and Health-seeking behaviour of women with Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Health-seeking behavior of obstetric fistula patients

Background: Obstetric fistula (OF) is one of the most dehumanizing diseases on the earth. It is a disease that reduces the female species of humans to a subhuman level where a woman continuously leaks urine and/or feces through her vagina. This birth complication is devastating to our women folks, particularly those living in the rural areas. Objectives: We aimed to look at the health-seeking behaviors of women who suffered from this condition with emphasis of identifying modifiable indices that could lead to reduction and/or eradication of the condition. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study where OF patient's health-seeking behavior was analyzed. All OF patients were recruited during the study period. Results: Fifty-two OF patients were interviewed during the study period. The mean age of the participants was 22.7 ± 7.6 years. Thirty-six participants (69.2%) had no formal education, and more than half of their husbands (57.7%) had no formal education. Majority (82.7%) of the participants were residing in the rural areas. More than half of the respondents (61.5%) had no source of income. Forty-seven (90.4%) attended antenatal care (ANC), and most of them (63.5%) had at least 4 ANC visits. Majority (76.9%) labored for more than 24 h and 35 (67.3%) had delay in reaching health facility. More than one-third (38.5%) were delivered through cesarean section. Forty-two respondents (80.8%) noticed urine leakage 2 days after delivery. Conclusion: Most of the findings here corroborated with the findings of earlier studies except for increased ANC attendance which might be due to increased awareness. The study clearly brought out the need to have deliveries conducted under skilled birth attendants to reduce/eradicate the menace of OF in our communities.

Exploring feminist public sphere through Henvalvani Community Radio: an empowerment through communication approach

Identification of specific contributions made by community radio for translating the rhetoric of participation and empowerment into practice requires more attention. There is also a need to conduct more theoretical and empirical studies on “women and community radio.” The study attempts to fulfill these needs to an extent, and offers a fresh perspective to look at the ways community radio can be evaluated. Women’s narratives about the influence on health aspects by Henvalvani Community Radio situated in Chamba, a region of India, provided the necessary data and helped in finding the role of such participatory technologies in affecting the agency of the women. Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action and Kleine’s Choice Framework guided the analysis. Empowerment through Communication (ETC) framework is proposed to provide a new perspective for comprehending the impact made by a community radio in influencing health seeking behavior of women. The study establishes Henvalvani Community Radio as a feminist public sphere helpful in altering the socio-cultural praxis of health communication.

Persian translation and assessing the validity and reliability of the Questionnaire of Health Seeking Behavior of women living with HIV

Persian translation and assessing the validity and reliability of the Questionnaire of Health Seeking Behavior of women living with HIV

Health Seeking Behaviour of Tiv Women Living with Fibroid in Benue State, Nigeria

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors and one of the foremost causes of infertility among women. While there are several clinic-based studies on the biological context of fibroid, very few had examined its socio-cultural context in a community study in Nigeria. This paper, therefore, examined health seeking behaviour of women living with fibroid in Tiv communities in Benue State, Nigeria. The study participants were selected from 4 Tiv speaking local government areas (Gboko, Makurdi, Ukum and Vandeikya) in Benue State through multi stage sampling technique. Sequential explanatory mixed method of data collection was used. Fibroid occurrence is common among women in age categories 30-39 (51%). All the respondents living fibroid sought treatment, however, 60% of the respondents prefer orthodox medical treatment while the remaining 40% prefer the traditional healing process. Income, proximity to healthcare facility, influence of relatives, friends, and health professionals have stronger influence on the health seeking behaviour of women living with fibroid. The health seeking is combination of both traditional and modern medicines while surgical procedure is less utilised. The study recommends an increased sensitization and awareness about fibroid.

“Girl, just pray …”: Factors That Influence Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Black Women in Rochester, MN

BackgroundBlack women in Minnesota and beyond have a greater burden of death due to some cancers than their White counterparts. Delayed screening and treatment may explain these disparate statistics. The purpose of this study was to work in collaboration with a local Black faith-based organization to gain an updated understanding of Black women's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to breast and cervical cancer, and determine to what extent known factors persist as barriers to accessing cancer screening among Black women in Rochester, MN. We also sought to identify unique barriers for Black women residing in a particularly health resource rich community. MethodsUsing a community-based participatory research approach, two academic institutes worked in collaboration with a local Black faith-based organization to conduct focus groups. Focus groups were utilized to identify factors that may limit Black women's access to cancer screening and health care. ResultsForty-five eligible participants attended one of eight focus group sessions. All participants self-identified as Black women and most were born in the United States. Content analysis of participant responses suggested that Black women's health-seeking behaviors related to breast and cervical cancer screening continue to be very much influenced by known factors that serve as barriers to screening services. Four primary themes pertaining to these influential factors emerged from participants' focus group discussions: 1) knowledge of cancer, risk factors, and screening options; and 2) socioeconomic factors, 3) psycho-social factors, including lack of trust of doctors specifically involved in clinical research, and 4) cultural factors, including reliance on religious practice in place of medical intervention. ConclusionBlack women face real and perceived barriers to cancer screening even where health resources are abundant. Results reiterate an on going need for culturally appropriate interventions to improve Black women's breast and cervical cancer screening participation by minimizing barriers and engaging entire communities – including Black women, religious leaders, and health care providers.

'We are always desperate and will try anything to conceive': The convoluted and dynamic process of health seeking among women with infertility in the West Coast Region of The Gambia.

IntroductionIn many Sub-Saharan African countries, women with infertility search relentlessly for treatment. Guided by the Partners for Applied Social Sciences model for health seeking behaviour and access to care research, this study aims to understand the health seeking behaviour of women with infertility in the West Coast region of The Gambia and the influence of aetiological beliefs on health seeking paths.MethodologyA qualitative approach was used to generate both primary and secondary data for thematic analysis. The data collection methods included in-depth interviews (36), observations (18), informal conversations (42), group discussion (7) and made use of pile-sorting exercises. Sources of secondary data included government and non-governmental reports and media outputs.ResultsThe health seeking approaches of women living in both rural and urban areas were extremely complex and dynamic, with women reporting that they looked for biomedical treatment as well as seeking indigenous treatment provided by local healers, sacred places and kanyaleng groups. While treatment choice was related to the perceived aetiology of infertility, it was also strongly influenced by the perceived effectiveness of the treatment available and the duration of the fertility problems. Other relevant factors were the affordability, accessibility and availability of treatment and respondents’ family and social networks, whereby access to the biomedical health sector was strongly influenced by people’s socio-economic background.ConclusionOn the basis of this analysis and our wider research in the area, we see a need for health authorities to further invest in providing information and counselling on issues related to infertility prevention and treatment. The availability of locally applicable guidelines for the management of infertility for both men and women at all levels of the health system would facilitate such work. In addition, the public sphere should provide more space for alternative forms of social identity for both men and women.

The Role of Self-Efficacy in Women's Health-seeking Behaviors in Northwestern Botswana.

Although research assessing the role of self-efficacy in health behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa remains limited, recent research in Botswana suggests that travel time, frequency of visits, and sexual violence influence women's health-seeking. This study used cross-sectional data from 479 women collected in 2012 in Botswana to test the psychometric properties of the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) in Setswana, the local language, as a measure of self-efficacy. Findings confirm the GSE's validity as a unidimensional measure of self-efficacy in this population. Regression analyses suggest that each additional point increase on the Setswana GSE reduces by one third the odds that a woman would forego a clinic visit. Frequency of clinic visits and experiences of sexual violence were also significant predictors. Interventions that enhance self-efficacy may contribute to Botswana's health promotion efforts but will be limited if they fail to address sexual violence and how it is viewed in this setting.

English

Maternal health care service utilization is one of the components of the reproductive and child health interventions package with the aim of improving both maternal and child health. It is the health of the women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to investigate the perceived socio economic barriers to maternal health seeking behavior of rural women in Raya Alamata District. In doing so, the researcher employed qualitative methods substantiated by the quantitative data. In doing so, a sample of 359 HH units was selected from three ‘Tabias’ by using simple random sampling techniques. The qualitative data analyzed using thematic analysis whereas the quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics. According to the findings of the study, perceived social barriers such as shortage of qualified health workers, ill behavior of health workers, student’s internship and poor quality of maternal health services influence the health seeking behavior of the rural women of the study area. On the other hand, the perceived economic barriers such as access to resources, working conditions and cost of transportation and medical treatment also influence maternal health seeking behavior of the women of the study area.  Key words: Antenatal care, delivery care, maternal health, maternal health seeking behavior, postnatal care. &nbsp

Health Seeking Behavior of Women with Eclampsia Attending at Institute of Child and Mother Health in Dhaka City

Eclampsia constitutes a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. To assess health seeking behaviour of the family members and the patient with eclampsia. This cross sectional study was carried out on 100 eclampsia patients in the Institute of Child and Mother Health (ICMH), Dhaka from December' 2004 to November' 2005. In this study it was found that more vulnerable age group was 19-27 (49.0%) and primaegravida was 52.0%. This study revealed that knowledge about preconceptional health checkup was 3.0%, antenatal checkup was 52.0%, causes of preeclampsia & eclampsia in pregnancy was 20.0%, plan of delivery was 16.0%, safe hospital delivery was 20.0%, savings of money for delivery was 32.0%, transportation to hospital was 26.0%, consequences of severe preeclampsia & eclampsia was 9.0% of the study population. This study also showed that 82.0% and 77.0% of the patients had negative attitude towards antenatal check up and hospital delivery respectively. Only 58.0% of the patients had antenatal checkup. In this study 58.0% and 42.0% of the patients were referred to hospital by trained birth attendant (TBA) and relatives respectively. Half of the patients were referred by relatives. The present study showed that the maternal death was 4.0% and perinatal death was 27.0%. Lack of proper knowledge about consequences of eclampsia and severe preeclampsia and poor knowledge about proper antenatal care and negative attitude towards hospital delivery affects the outcome of both maternal and fetal condition.Medicine Today 2018 Vol.30(2): 67-70

Role of Family Obligation Stress on Ugandan Women's Participation in Preventive Breast Health.

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of family obligation stress on Ugandan women's participation in preventive breast health through the receipt of breast cancer education and health check-ups. A validated survey was conducted on a community sample of Ugandan women, providing a multi-item scale to assess preventive breast-health-seeking behaviors and measure family obligation stress (FO; range 6-18). Univariate and multivariate linear regression was used to assess associations between sociodemographic factors and FO. Univariate and multivariate linear regression (used in conjunction with the robust sandwich estimator for standard errors) and probability differences (PDs) were used to evaluate associations between preventive breast-health-seeking behaviors, sociodemographic factors, and FO. A total of 401 Ugandan women ages 25-74 participated in the survey. Most had three or more children in the home (60%) and were employed full time (69%). Higher FO was associated with increasing number of children and/or adults in the household (p < .05), full-time employment (p < .001), and being single (p = .003). Women with higher FO were less likely to participate in breast cancer education (PD = -0.02 per 1-point increase, p = .008) and preventive health check-ups (PD = -0.02, p = .018), associations that persisted on multivariate analysis controlling for sociodemographic factors. Ugandan women with high FO are less likely to participate in preventive breast cancer detection efforts including breast cancer education and preventive health check-ups. Special efforts should be made to reach women with elevated FO, because it may be a risk factor for late-stage presentation among women who develop breast cancer. High family obligation stress (FO) significantly reduces women's participation in preventive health check-ups and breast cancer education. These findings support research in U.S. Latinas showing high FO negatively affects women's health, suggesting that FO is an important factor in women's health-seeking behavior in other cultures. Addressing family obligation stress by including family members involved in decision-making is essential for improving breast cancer outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, such as Uganda.

Health Seeking Behavior of Patients Diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Cervical cancer is increasingly recognized as one of the public health problems among women in developing countries. Most women with cervical cancer are seen in the health care system late with advanced stage of cancer. This study aims to explore the care seeking behavior of women with cervical cancer. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the health seeking behavior of women with cervical cancer for patients who were admitted with cervical cancer in Tikur Anbessa Hospital. In-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected participants. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and then translated into English and analyzed using a content analysis approach. The study period was from October 2013 to April 2014. The study found that women diagnosed with cervical cancer lack prior awareness about cervical cancer and availability of screening services. Moreover, decision making to seek medical care up on experiencing early symptoms seems to be delayed. Women reported the first symptom was unusual vaginal bleeding that forces them to seek care. The bleeding could be profound and accompanied by offensive odor. Fear of stigmatization could make women reluctant to seek timely care. Once treatment is started most women found it shockingly expensive. Women lack general awareness about the nature and symptoms of cervical cancer. All health services providers serving women need to sensitize women to seek timely screening services and timely treatment services if cervical cancer is confirmed.

Intimate Partner Violence and Women's Health-seeking Behaviors in Northwestern Botswana.

Despite evidence suggesting a strong association between women's experience of violence and their health-seeking behaviors, limited research has been conducted to date that explores factors associated with these behaviors in Botswana. A prospective, cross-sectional study involving semi-structured interviews with 479 women took place in Maun, Botswana, in 2012. Twenty-five percent of those interviewed reported not having visited a medical clinic at least once despite wishing to do so. Sequential binary-logistic regressions identified three factors associated with women's health services utilization: travel time, frequency of clinic visits, and experience of recent sexual intimate partner violence (IPV). Women who had experienced recent sexual IPV had over two and a half times the odds of having foregone medical care compared with women with no recent sexual IPV experience. Interventions that identify and encourage victims of sexual violence to seek timely screening and treatment may reduce overall disease burden in this population.