Determinants of Patients’ Choice of Provider in Accessing Brucellosis Care among Pastoral Communities Adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura District, Uganda
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLoS ONE
Abstract
Brucellosis is the commonest zoonotic infection worldwide with symptoms similar to other febrile syndromes
such as malaria and typhoid fever. It is often easily misdiagnosed, resulting in underreporting and misdirected treatments.
Understanding of the factors that influence brucellosis care seeking is essential in enhancing its effective management. Our
study sought to determine the factors associated with choice of provider in accessing care for brucellosis among pastoral
communities in Uganda.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 245 randomly selected respondents previously diagnosed and treated
for brucellosis, two months before the study. They were enrolled from three sub-counties neighboring Lake Mburo National
Park between December 2012 to April 2013. Data on socio-demographics, availability, accessibility, affordability and
acceptability of health services were collected. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to determine association
between independent and outcome variables using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals with p-value#0.05
considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 245 respondents, 127(51.8%) sought health care at government facilities and the rest at private.
Respondents who were less likely to choose a government facility were either single (OR: 0.50, CI: 0.26–0.97), had general
weakness (OR: 0.09, CI: 0.01–0.72) or whom family took a decision (OR: 0.52, CI: 0.28–0.97). At multivariable analysis, choice
of government facility was influenced by primary education (aOR: 0.46, CI: 0.22–0.97), having six to ten household members
(aOR:3.71, CI:1.84–7.49), family advice (aOR:0.64, CI: 0.23–0.91), distance $10 kms (aOR:0.44, CI: 0.21–0.92), high costs at
private clinics (aOR:0.01, CI:0.02–0.15) and no diagnosis at government facility (aOR:0.11, CI:0.01–0.97). Females were more
likely to seek health care at government facilities, while those with tertiary education were less likely, after the first provider.
Conclusions: Females and households with six to ten members were more likely to choose government facilities.
Government facilities need to be equipped to attract more patients.
Description
Keywords
Patients’ Choice of Provider, Brucellosis Care, Pastoral Communities, Lake Mburo National Park, Kiruhura District, Uganda
Citation
Kansiime C, Rutebemberwa E, Mugisha A, Mugisha S, Asiimwe BB, et al. (2014) Determinants of Patients’ Choice of Provider in Accessing Brucellosis Care among Pastoral Communities Adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura District, Uganda. PLoS ONE 9(8): e105276. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105276