Browsing by Author "Kassaye, Mesfin (PhD)"

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    Health Seeking Behaviour among Individuals with STD Symptoms
    (Addis Ababa University, 1995-05) Tesfaye, Fikru; Kassaye, Mesfin (PhD)
    In Ethiopia and other developing countries the prevalence of STDs and their complications, as well as, resistance to antimicrobials is believed to be widespread. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Adami-Tullu Woreda during Sept. - Oct., 1994, to estimate the prevalence of STDs, and identify determinants of health seeking behaviour of individuals with STD symptoms. A total of 2240 individuals aged 12-49 years were enrolled in to the study using a cluster sampling method. The two-week prevalence of STD symptoms was 2.5% among individuals aged 12-49 years. Rate of seeking health care among individuals with STD symptoms was 26.8%. Perceived severity of illness, and also lack of money were significant determinants of health care seeking among individuals with STD symptoms, OR=0.23, 95% CI(0.05,0.95), and OR=3.29, 95% CI (1 . 63,6.66), respectively. It is concluded that the majority of individuals with STD symptoms do not seek health care due to high cost of STD treatment services and also because the diseases are not considred severe enough . Expansion of health education and other preventive services targeted at STDs, and free STD curative services to the rural communities, are recommended.