Health-seeking Behaviour and Self-rated Health of Adult Men in an Urban Local Government Area in Lagos, Nigeria

Autor: Ogunyemi AO, Egemba TO, Onigbogi OO
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Annals of Health Research, Vol 7, Iss 2, Pp 153-164 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2476-8642
2536-6149
DOI: 10.30442/ahr.0702-07-126
Popis: Background: Evidence from the literature suggests that men are less likely to seek health services compared to women. It is important to understand the factors that influence the health-seeking behaviour of men and how it affects their self-rated health. Objectives: To assess the health-seeking behaviour and self-rated health perception of adult men in an urban community in Lagos state. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 adult males aged 18 years and above in an urban community in Lagos State, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant data. Associations between categorical variables were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The health-seeking behaviour of the men in the study area was influenced by factors such as the severity of illness (66.1%), availability of funds (13.1%) and subscription to health insurance (18.2%). A majority (94.7%) self-rated their health as good, very good or excellent. Provision of expert care (45.6%) was considered the most important characteristic of health-seeking behaviour. Alcohol consumption (38.8%) was significantly associated with the health perception of the respondents. The respondents (50.2%) preferred using hospitals, compared to other sources during their last illness episode. Conclusion: The respondents exhibited a preference for hospital visit during their last illness, confirming appropriate health-seeking behaviour in the absence of economic hindrances and other factors. Respondents with little or no alcohol intake had better self-rated health.
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