Health-Seeking Behavior and Associated Factors among First Diagnosed Patients for Hypertension Attending at Outpatient Department of Selected Government Hospitals, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2024-05-15
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University Health-seeking behavior hypertension public hospitals
Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Abstract
Background: In Ethiopia, hypertension is a major public health concern, with a growing number of patients first diagnosed with hypertension. Many individuals first diagnosed with hypertension may not engage in appropriate health-seeking behaviors. Health-seeking behavior (HSB) is any action or inaction undertaken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or illness to find an appropriate remedy.. Understanding the underlying reasons for and barriers to seeking healthcare is essential for developing effective interventions and improving the overall management of hypertension.
Objective: To assess the health-seeking behavior and associated factors among patients first diagnosed with hypertension at selected government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Method: An institution-based mixed study was conducted from March 1 to April 30, 2024, in four public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For convenience sampling, 214 participants were selected for quantitative analysis, proportionate to their hypertensive patient population, and additional patients were selected for qualitative analysis until data saturation. The data were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize the socio-demographic characteristics, and logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. The level of significance was set at a p value < 0.05. A thematic analysis approach was used for the qualitative data.
Results: The overall health-seeking behavior of the study participants was 47.6%. Age was a significant factor for health-seeking behavior among young adults (20-40 years), with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.14 (95% CI: 0.34-3.88, p=0.047), indicating a borderline significant association. Educational status also had notable findings, with individuals with a degree or higher showing a significantly greater likelihood of good health-seeking behavior (AOR: 6.25, 95% CI: 1.38-28.29, p=0.017). The presence of coronary artery disease was a significant predictor (AOR: 2.70, 95% CI: 2.38-3.24, p=0.008). Monthly income was also a significant factor, with low income (1000-4999 ETB) associated with health-seeking behavior (AOR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.26-4.94, p=0.025). Qualitative interviews with first-diagnosed hypertensive patients revealed significant challenges in their health-seeking journeys, such as long waiting times, high costs of tests and medications, and the complexity of navigating the healthcare system. Participants described stress and uncertainty when ill, the process of seeking medical help and obtaining medication, and mixed feelings about the quality of healthcare. Additionally, habits such as alcohol consumption and smoking affect people’s willingness and timeliness in seeking medical help.
Conclusion & Recommendation: In this study, small amount of the participants reported overall health-seeking behavior. Age, educational status, monthly income, and the presence of coronary artery disease were significantly associated with the health-seeking behavior of the study participants. These insights emphasize the need for more accessible and affordable healthcare services and targeted health education to address the specific barriers faced by hypertensive patients. Hence health care workers and policy developers should give attention and work intensively up on the issue.
KEYWORDS: Health-seeking behavior, hypertension, public hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia