HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG ADULT HOUSEHOLD HEADS IN WOLKITE TOWN, SNNPR, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA, 2022

Abstract

Background: Healthcare seeking behavior (HSB) has been defined as, “any action or inaction undertaken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate remedy”. Poor healthcare-seeking behavior has been shown to contribute to ineffective prevention and control of morbidity and mortality related to health conditions. There is limited information on the level of health care seeking behavior and associated factors among household heads. Objective: To assess the level of adult health care seeking behavior at household level in Wolkite town, Southern Ethiopia, 2022. . Method: A community based cross sectional study was employed. Quantitative method of data collection was deployed by using pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Three Keble’s ( addis hiwot,edget chora,menharia ) will randomly selected by SRS (by lottery method) from 13 Kebeles in wolkite. And the study was conducted in the kebeles that are found in the selected sub city. Data entry and analysis was done by using SPSS 20 software. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Candidate variables with P-value <0.2 in Bivariable model were entered to multivariable model to adjust for predictors. The 95% CI for the corresponding Odds Ratio (OR) were used to assess the degree of associations at (P<0.05) to declare significance Result: The overall high health care seeking behavior of household heads was 103 (25.1%). Age [AOR=4.287, 95% CI: 1.133, 16.223], Educational level (AOR =4.075, 95%CI 1.094, 15.180), and Family size [AOR=5.826,95% CI: 3.097,10.960] were predictor of health seeking behavior. Conclusion: The study revealed low health-seeking behavior among the study participants in the study area. Age, educational status, and family size affect the household’s health care seeking behaviors. Recommendation: We recommend further nationwide research on the issue. And further consideration should also be given for the risk factors including age, family size, and level of education