A REVIEW OF THE DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR IN NIGERIA
Keywords:
Behaviour, Determinants, Health, Health-seeking behaviour, Nigeria
Abstract
Once a person assumes a sick role, it is observed that he or she seeks medical advice and cooperate with medical experts. Health seekers in Nigeria like any developing country tends to do so based on the resources at the disposal of the individuals or family. This paper is a review of health seeking behaviour in Nigeria. The objective of the paper includes to review the determinants of health seeking behaviour in Nigeria. Secondary method of data collection was adopted. Based on the literature reviewed, the paper revealed that social (peer group, family and religious belief), demographic (age, sex, and educational attainment), economic (socio-economic status and cost of health-care service), cultural, spatial and environmental, and healthcare system are determinants of health-seeking behaviour in Nigeria. The paper concluded by stating that the multifaceted nature of health-seeking determinants must be taken into consideration in any attempt to understand health-seeking behaviour in Nigeria, and also recommended that; future interventions aimed at improving healthcare seeking behaviour may be enhanced by targeting not only the patient’s effort but also on the institutional capacity to make accessibility to health care facilities possible; and also, improvement in healthcare seeking behaviour cannot be fully achieved without achievable policy at the national level.
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References
Abdulkarim, S, H., Chiemezie S, A., Audu, M., A, Musa B.A, & Yusuf, B, I., (2023). Determinants of reproductive health-seeking behaviour among women of reproductive age. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 5(8), 1-20.
Adebowale, A., Fadeyi A., & Fadare, J., (2016) The influence of religious beliefs on health and healthcare utilization amongst elderly Nigerians. Journal of Religion and Health, 42(7):42-51
Adesuwa, Q. A., Essy, C. I., & Alphonsus, R. I., (2015). Health seeking behaviour among caregivers of under-five children. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health. 4(1). 12-29.
Akanbiemu, O. O., Alawode, G. O., Owoyemi, O., & Akanmu, S. A. (2019). Income level and health- seeking behavior among adults in Nigeria. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 10(2):116-123
Akande, T. M. & Owoyemi, J. O., (2009). Health-seeking behaviour in Anyigba, North-Central, Nigeria. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 12(3):42-51.
Amaghionyeodiwe, L. A., (2008). Determinants of the choice of health care provider in Nigeria. Health Care Management Science 11(3):215-27
Amzat, J., (2011). Assessing the progress of malaria control in Nigeria. World Health and Population,
12(3), 42-51
Anthony, F. U. (2022) Gospel minister and health issues, Reversed Edition. Research Gate. 12(3): 42-51
Aworinde, O. O., Olufemi-Aworinde, K. J., Awotunde, O. T., & Adeniji, A. O., (2019). Behavior modifying myths practices and effect on health seeking behavior among pregnant Yoruba women, south western Nigeria – a cross-sectional study. Rwanda Medical Journal, 76 (1)
Bada, B. V., Olasehinde, I. O., & Evbuomwan, I. O. (2018). Health seeking behaviour and determinants of consumers’ choice of healthcare providers in Lagos State, Nigeria. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 10(1), 10-24.
Ballard, M., Montgomery, P., & Nutton, A. (2017). Health seeking and peer-led health advocacy: Exploring the role of social networks in healthcare access in Nigeria. Social Science & Medicine, 18(3), 45-52.
Bolaji, D. A. & Joel, O. F., (2022). Correlates between health seeking behaviour and health status; a cross- sectional study among the elderly group in Nigeria. Annals of International Medical and Dental Research (AIMDR), 8(2). 13-29.
Damrongplasit, K. & Wangdi, T., (2016). Healthcare utilization, bypass, and multiple visits: The case of Bhutan. International Journal of Health Economics and Management, 17(1):51-81.
Daniel, K. O., (2017). Personality and religiosity as predictors of health seeking behaviour among out- patients of federal neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos. 12(3), 42-51
Edberg, M., (2007). Essentials of health behaviour: social and behavioural theory in public health. Jones Bartlett, 12(3):42-51
Egbunu, D. A. & Yunusa, E., (2022). Factors determining the health seeking behaviour of rural dwellers in Dekina, Kogi State, Nigeria. International Medical Science Research Journal, 2(1), 1-20.
Ekenta, F. M., (2017). Religiosity and the development of a child. Retrieved from
https://aphriapub.com/index.php/sosac/article/download/86/109
Gage, A. J., Ilombu, O., Akinyemi, A., & Ngige, E. (2012). Health-seeking behavior among selected Nigerian communities: Patterns and determinants. African Population Studies, 26(2):377-397
Hassan, K. H. & Ibrahim, A. B., (2021). Healthcare seeking behavior and utilization of maternal healthcare services among women of reproductive age in Northwest, Nigeria. Gusau International Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 4(1). 33-47.
Itunu, O. D. & Joshua, I. R., (2018). Health-seeking behaviour of malaria patients in Lagos, Nigeria.
International Journal of Health Sciences & Research. 8(7), 259-270.
Izugbara, C. O., & Wekesah, F. M., (2018). Health-seeking and utilization in Nigeria: rising traditional medical knowledge and the burden of non-communicable diseases. Health Research Policy and Systems, 16(1), 1-15.
Jimoh, A., & Oliver, R., (2019). Health behaviour and illness behaviour. publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300827502
Latunji, O. O., & Akinyemi, O. O., (2018). Factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria. Association for Reproductive and Family Health,16 (1)52-60
Lucas, A. O., & Gilles, H. M., (2004). Short Textbook of Public Health Medicine for the Tropics. 4th Edn.Book Power.
Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: The challenge of an unequal world. Bloomsbury Publishing, 6(1)
Marmot, M., Friel, S., Bell, R., Houweling, T.A., & Taylor, S. (2008). Commission on social determinants of health, closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. The Lancet, 372(9650), 1661-1669.
Mary, E. U. & Abubakar, K. M., (2023). Health Seeking Behaviour of Hausa Women in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 13(1). 101 – 110
National Population Commission [NPC] Nigeria, and ICF. (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria.
Nwiko, K. M., Asogwa, E. U., & Achalu, E. I., (2022) Demographic determinants of health care-seeking behaviour among women in khana local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Review, 9(1), 15-30.
Obionu, C. N., Nwachukwu, D. C., Eke, G. K., Njoku, C., & Ifoegbulam, C. I., (2019). Influence of family support on health-seeking behavior among pregnant women in rural communities in Nigeria. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 11(10), 23-39.
Oduwole, A. O., Akporie, C. C., & Oyibo, P. G., (2018). The role of family influence on healthcare decision-making among elderly persons in Nigeria. Health Psychology Open, 5(2)
Oduyemi, O. T., Owoaje, E. T., & Oyewole, O. E., (2016). Factors influencing the utilization of primary health care services among adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, 28(1&2):1-10.
Okpala, P. U., Okoye, C. L., Adeyemo, F. O., Iheanacho, P. N., Emesonwu, A. C., & Osuala, E. O., (2019). Utilization of maternal and child health services in Enugu, South East, Nigeria. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 6(8).
Olufemi, S. A., (2020). Care seeking behavior of citizens during pandemics: a case study of covid-19 in Nigeria. Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 3(9), 2581-3226
Oluwasayo, B. O., & Adesola, A. O., (2021). The relationship between health seeking behaviour and health related quality of life of female market traders in Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria. Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care. ISSN 2616-7921
Onyemaechi & Ezenwaka (2022). Infuence of sub-national social health insurance scheme on enrollees’ health seeking behaviour. Bone marrow concentrate (BMC) Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13606-x.
Owoaje, E. T., & Uchendu, O. C., (2006). Health care seeking behaviour among rural dwellers in an environment with unorthodox health facilities: A study of Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 15(2): 135-140
Raphael, D., (2008). Social determinants of health: Canadian perspectives. Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press.
Uche, E. O., (2017). Factors affecting health seeking behaviour among rural dwellers in Nigeria and its implication on rural livelihood. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, 2(2): 74-86
Ugochukwu, U. N., Onyekachi, M. U., Adanma, C. E., Izuchukwu, F. O., Chinemerem, D. O., & Chuka, A., (2022). Determinants of primary healthcare services utilization in an under-resourced rural community in Enugu State, Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal. 42(209).
Usman, N. O., Ibrahim, M. J., Joshua, I. A., Muhammad-Idris, Z. K., & Zubairu, H. D., (2020). Factors influencing health seeking behaviour among residents of Basawa community, Sabon Gari L.G.A. Kaduna State, Nigeria. Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences, 14(1), 9 - 17
Uya, E. M. & Musa, K. A., (2023). Health-seeking behaviour of hausa women in makurdi local government area, benue state. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Reviews. 13(1), 23-38.
World Health Organization (2020). Neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/en.
World Health Organization. (2021). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health- topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1.
Adebowale, A., Fadeyi A., & Fadare, J., (2016) The influence of religious beliefs on health and healthcare utilization amongst elderly Nigerians. Journal of Religion and Health, 42(7):42-51
Adesuwa, Q. A., Essy, C. I., & Alphonsus, R. I., (2015). Health seeking behaviour among caregivers of under-five children. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health. 4(1). 12-29.
Akanbiemu, O. O., Alawode, G. O., Owoyemi, O., & Akanmu, S. A. (2019). Income level and health- seeking behavior among adults in Nigeria. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 10(2):116-123
Akande, T. M. & Owoyemi, J. O., (2009). Health-seeking behaviour in Anyigba, North-Central, Nigeria. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 12(3):42-51.
Amaghionyeodiwe, L. A., (2008). Determinants of the choice of health care provider in Nigeria. Health Care Management Science 11(3):215-27
Amzat, J., (2011). Assessing the progress of malaria control in Nigeria. World Health and Population,
12(3), 42-51
Anthony, F. U. (2022) Gospel minister and health issues, Reversed Edition. Research Gate. 12(3): 42-51
Aworinde, O. O., Olufemi-Aworinde, K. J., Awotunde, O. T., & Adeniji, A. O., (2019). Behavior modifying myths practices and effect on health seeking behavior among pregnant Yoruba women, south western Nigeria – a cross-sectional study. Rwanda Medical Journal, 76 (1)
Bada, B. V., Olasehinde, I. O., & Evbuomwan, I. O. (2018). Health seeking behaviour and determinants of consumers’ choice of healthcare providers in Lagos State, Nigeria. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 10(1), 10-24.
Ballard, M., Montgomery, P., & Nutton, A. (2017). Health seeking and peer-led health advocacy: Exploring the role of social networks in healthcare access in Nigeria. Social Science & Medicine, 18(3), 45-52.
Bolaji, D. A. & Joel, O. F., (2022). Correlates between health seeking behaviour and health status; a cross- sectional study among the elderly group in Nigeria. Annals of International Medical and Dental Research (AIMDR), 8(2). 13-29.
Damrongplasit, K. & Wangdi, T., (2016). Healthcare utilization, bypass, and multiple visits: The case of Bhutan. International Journal of Health Economics and Management, 17(1):51-81.
Daniel, K. O., (2017). Personality and religiosity as predictors of health seeking behaviour among out- patients of federal neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos. 12(3), 42-51
Edberg, M., (2007). Essentials of health behaviour: social and behavioural theory in public health. Jones Bartlett, 12(3):42-51
Egbunu, D. A. & Yunusa, E., (2022). Factors determining the health seeking behaviour of rural dwellers in Dekina, Kogi State, Nigeria. International Medical Science Research Journal, 2(1), 1-20.
Ekenta, F. M., (2017). Religiosity and the development of a child. Retrieved from
https://aphriapub.com/index.php/sosac/article/download/86/109
Gage, A. J., Ilombu, O., Akinyemi, A., & Ngige, E. (2012). Health-seeking behavior among selected Nigerian communities: Patterns and determinants. African Population Studies, 26(2):377-397
Hassan, K. H. & Ibrahim, A. B., (2021). Healthcare seeking behavior and utilization of maternal healthcare services among women of reproductive age in Northwest, Nigeria. Gusau International Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 4(1). 33-47.
Itunu, O. D. & Joshua, I. R., (2018). Health-seeking behaviour of malaria patients in Lagos, Nigeria.
International Journal of Health Sciences & Research. 8(7), 259-270.
Izugbara, C. O., & Wekesah, F. M., (2018). Health-seeking and utilization in Nigeria: rising traditional medical knowledge and the burden of non-communicable diseases. Health Research Policy and Systems, 16(1), 1-15.
Jimoh, A., & Oliver, R., (2019). Health behaviour and illness behaviour. publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300827502
Latunji, O. O., & Akinyemi, O. O., (2018). Factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria. Association for Reproductive and Family Health,16 (1)52-60
Lucas, A. O., & Gilles, H. M., (2004). Short Textbook of Public Health Medicine for the Tropics. 4th Edn.Book Power.
Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: The challenge of an unequal world. Bloomsbury Publishing, 6(1)
Marmot, M., Friel, S., Bell, R., Houweling, T.A., & Taylor, S. (2008). Commission on social determinants of health, closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. The Lancet, 372(9650), 1661-1669.
Mary, E. U. & Abubakar, K. M., (2023). Health Seeking Behaviour of Hausa Women in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 13(1). 101 – 110
National Population Commission [NPC] Nigeria, and ICF. (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria.
Nwiko, K. M., Asogwa, E. U., & Achalu, E. I., (2022) Demographic determinants of health care-seeking behaviour among women in khana local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Review, 9(1), 15-30.
Obionu, C. N., Nwachukwu, D. C., Eke, G. K., Njoku, C., & Ifoegbulam, C. I., (2019). Influence of family support on health-seeking behavior among pregnant women in rural communities in Nigeria. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 11(10), 23-39.
Oduwole, A. O., Akporie, C. C., & Oyibo, P. G., (2018). The role of family influence on healthcare decision-making among elderly persons in Nigeria. Health Psychology Open, 5(2)
Oduyemi, O. T., Owoaje, E. T., & Oyewole, O. E., (2016). Factors influencing the utilization of primary health care services among adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, 28(1&2):1-10.
Okpala, P. U., Okoye, C. L., Adeyemo, F. O., Iheanacho, P. N., Emesonwu, A. C., & Osuala, E. O., (2019). Utilization of maternal and child health services in Enugu, South East, Nigeria. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 6(8).
Olufemi, S. A., (2020). Care seeking behavior of citizens during pandemics: a case study of covid-19 in Nigeria. Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 3(9), 2581-3226
Oluwasayo, B. O., & Adesola, A. O., (2021). The relationship between health seeking behaviour and health related quality of life of female market traders in Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria. Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care. ISSN 2616-7921
Onyemaechi & Ezenwaka (2022). Infuence of sub-national social health insurance scheme on enrollees’ health seeking behaviour. Bone marrow concentrate (BMC) Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13606-x.
Owoaje, E. T., & Uchendu, O. C., (2006). Health care seeking behaviour among rural dwellers in an environment with unorthodox health facilities: A study of Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 15(2): 135-140
Raphael, D., (2008). Social determinants of health: Canadian perspectives. Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press.
Uche, E. O., (2017). Factors affecting health seeking behaviour among rural dwellers in Nigeria and its implication on rural livelihood. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, 2(2): 74-86
Ugochukwu, U. N., Onyekachi, M. U., Adanma, C. E., Izuchukwu, F. O., Chinemerem, D. O., & Chuka, A., (2022). Determinants of primary healthcare services utilization in an under-resourced rural community in Enugu State, Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal. 42(209).
Usman, N. O., Ibrahim, M. J., Joshua, I. A., Muhammad-Idris, Z. K., & Zubairu, H. D., (2020). Factors influencing health seeking behaviour among residents of Basawa community, Sabon Gari L.G.A. Kaduna State, Nigeria. Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences, 14(1), 9 - 17
Uya, E. M. & Musa, K. A., (2023). Health-seeking behaviour of hausa women in makurdi local government area, benue state. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Reviews. 13(1), 23-38.
World Health Organization (2020). Neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/en.
World Health Organization. (2021). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health- topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1.
Published
2024-05-19
How to Cite
Israel SALIFU, A., & Olugbenga OWOYEMI, J. (2024). A REVIEW OF THE DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR IN NIGERIA. GPH - International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing, 7(04), 56-70. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11204458
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