Factors Associated with Healthcare-Seeking Behavior among Health Profession Students in Selected Universities in Southwestern Uganda

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dc.contributor.authorWamaani, Hannington Gamukama
dc.contributor.authorOlum, Ronald
dc.contributor.authorAjuna, Noble
dc.contributor.authorAtwijukire, Humphrey
dc.contributor.authorKabami, Jane
dc.contributor.authorAsiimwe, John Baptist
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-03T19:02:43Z
dc.date.available2025-02-03T19:02:43Z
dc.date.issued2023-04-12
dc.description.abstractHealth professional students (HPS) tend to seek informal health care associated with self-medication (SM). Therefore, this study investigated the factors associated with healthcare-seeking behavior (HSB) among HPS. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design. Four hundred (400) HPS from two universities Bishop Stuart University (BSU) and Kampala International University Western Campus (KIU)] in southwestern Uganda were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a Google form containing structured questions. The link to the questionnaire was sent to prospective participants via WhatsApp platform or email between September and November 2021. Ethical clearance was obtained from Mbarara university Research Ethics committee. Data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed using descriptive chi-square statistics, and logistic regression. HSB was considered formal or appropriate if the participant usually sought healthcare from a health worker. Results: A total of 400 HPS were enrolled, 60.3% were males, the mean age of the participants was 23.06 (SD = 2.74) years. Fifty-seven percent (57.5%) of the participants consulted a health worker when ill in the last 12 months (had formal HSB). Most participants’ main reason for seeking health care was to treat the underlying illness (73.3%). About sixty-nine percent (68.6%) of the participants treated themselves during the most recent illness or health problem. Most of the participants searched the internet for health-related information when ill at some point. (Sometimes = 35.8%, Always = 27%, Often = 16%).The academic year of HPS (P < 0.001), access to health facilities (P = 0.018), being too busy (P = 0.028), and minor illnesses (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with healthcare-seeking behavior. The lower academic years 1 & 2 (OR = 0.453, P < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.296 - 0.695) and easy access to the health facility (OR = 0.447 P < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.287 - 0.696) were
dc.identifier.citationWamaani, H. G., Olum, R., Ajuna, N., Atwijukire, H., Kabami, J., & Asiimwe, J. B. (2023). Factors Associated with Healthcare-Seeking Behavior among Health Profession Students in Selected Universities in Southwestern Uganda. Open Access Library Journal, 10(4), 1-15.https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1110006
dc.identifier.issn2333-9721
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/9917
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherOpen Access Library Journal
dc.titleFactors Associated with Healthcare-Seeking Behavior among Health Profession Students in Selected Universities in Southwestern Uganda
dc.typeArticle
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