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PurposeSeveral studies have described health-seeking behaviour within the context of various diseases, the health status and age group. However, knowledge on patient health-seeking behaviour in the use of public and private hospitals and socio-demographic characteristics in developing countries is still scarce. This paper examines the influence of socio-demographic behavioural variables on health-seeking behaviour and the use of public and private health facilities in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative research approach uses the modified SERVQUAL dimension as a data collection tool. Descriptive statistics with Pearson's chi-square test were conducted to determine the relationship between socio-demographic behavioural variables and health-seeking behaviour of patients using public and private hospitals.FindingsThe results showed that there is a significant relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics (sex, marital status, education, level of income) and the health-seeking behaviour of patients in regard to the utilisation of public and private health facilities (p < 0.000).Originality/valueThere is a significant relationship between patients' socio-demographic variables and their choice and utilisation of public and private healthcare services. This information is of value to policy makers so that they have an idea on the socio-demographic behavioural variables that influence patients' health-seeking behaviour.

The study was conducted to determine the knowledge level of women on breast cancer, respondents perceptions about breast cancer and the attitude of the people toward breast cancer in the Sekyere East District-Ghana. The study adopted quantitative approach by collecting data through the use of questionnaire from 97 women, who were selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study established that the respondents demonstrated their knowledge level of breast cancer in their breast cancer practices and their source of information of breast cancer which most of the respondents stated that they got to know of breast cancer through the hospital. It was also established that most of the women in the study area practice Breast Self-Examination. The study also established that the women who did not practice BSE regularly felt that they did not have the breast problem, felt uncomfortable doing BSE. The study also found that respondents perceived Clinical Breast Examination as expensive and time wasting. The study recommended women should practice Breast Self-Examination (BSE).

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Illegal gold mining activities contribute tremendously to the local economy of the communities within which the practice is conducted. Despite such developments, its activities come with several environmental, economic, developmental and societal and educational challenges that governments, environmentalists, and educationalists have fought several decades to overcome. The study sought to examine the effect of illegal gold mining operations on school dropout. A sample size of 102 participants was selected for quantitative analysis together with purposive sampling of 20 key informants for qualitative analysis. The study found that children engage in Illegal gold mining and subsequent dropout from school.