“…Also, unmarried have enough time for themselves as compared with married people, who need enough time for their partners and children who want to see their physicians on time since private facilities normally have fewer patients' attendance. The current study confirmed the study of Adongo et al (2021) which found that more female clients sought healthcare services in the private hospitals (719%) as compared to male clients in government hospitals (28.0%). On the other hand, the finding is inconsistent with the literature that marital status does not play a significant role in the use of healthcare facilities (Ratna and Shekhar, 2020).…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 90%
“…Also, people with high level of education perceived that private health facilities provide quality healthcare services than public health facility. This finding supported the work of Bamaiyi (2018) and Adongo et al (2021) which revealed that majority of the patients with little or no formal education sought healthcare treatment in public hospitals, while those with higher education preferred private hospitals for healthcare treatment. Also, this finding confirmed the work of Levesque et al (2013 which stated that the poorest and those with only primary education mostly visit primary health care (PHC) and public facility, respectively.…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 88%
“…On the other hand, people with low level of education were also more likely to visit public hospital than private hospital. The reason was that as their level of education increases, it gives them better understanding of the quality of healthcare offered by private hospitals than public, as revealed in the study by Adongo et al (2021), than those with low level of education. Also, people with high level of education perceived that private health facilities provide quality healthcare services than public health facility.…”
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.
“…Also, unmarried have enough time for themselves as compared with married people, who need enough time for their partners and children who want to see their physicians on time since private facilities normally have fewer patients' attendance. The current study confirmed the study of Adongo et al (2021) which found that more female clients sought healthcare services in the private hospitals (719%) as compared to male clients in government hospitals (28.0%). On the other hand, the finding is inconsistent with the literature that marital status does not play a significant role in the use of healthcare facilities (Ratna and Shekhar, 2020).…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 90%
“…Also, people with high level of education perceived that private health facilities provide quality healthcare services than public health facility. This finding supported the work of Bamaiyi (2018) and Adongo et al (2021) which revealed that majority of the patients with little or no formal education sought healthcare treatment in public hospitals, while those with higher education preferred private hospitals for healthcare treatment. Also, this finding confirmed the work of Levesque et al (2013 which stated that the poorest and those with only primary education mostly visit primary health care (PHC) and public facility, respectively.…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 88%
“…On the other hand, people with low level of education were also more likely to visit public hospital than private hospital. The reason was that as their level of education increases, it gives them better understanding of the quality of healthcare offered by private hospitals than public, as revealed in the study by Adongo et al (2021), than those with low level of education. Also, people with high level of education perceived that private health facilities provide quality healthcare services than public health facility.…”
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 2017 findings are supported by the quality of healthcare provided by private health facilities than public/government health facilities in Ghana [34,35]. More so, the shorter stay after vaginal delivery in private health facilities in Ghana could be due to the high health care cost per patient stay [35]. The present study's findings on the 2017 cohort contradict findings from a study in India [8].…”
Section: Plos Global Public Healthcontrasting
confidence: 61%
“…This makes the association found with the 2017 cohort being the true one. The 2017 findings are supported by the quality of healthcare provided by private health facilities than public/government health facilities in Ghana [34,35]. More so, the shorter stay after vaginal delivery in private health facilities in Ghana could be due to the high health care cost per patient stay [35].…”
Early discharge after child delivery although indispensable, but maybe precluded by several factors. The effect of these factors on prolonged length of stay (LOS) after vaginal delivery has been sparsely investigated in Ghana. This limits understanding of potential leading indicators to inform intervention efforts and optimize health care delivery. This study examined factors associated with prolonged LOS after vaginal birth in two time-separated cohorts in Ghana. We analyzed data from Ghana’s demographic and health surveys in 2007 and 2017. Our comparative analysis is based on subsamples in 2007 cohort (n = 2,486) and 2017 cohort (n = 8,065). A generalized estimating equation (GEE) with logistic regression was used to examine predictors of prolonged LOS after vaginal delivery. The cluster effect was accounted for using the exchangeable working correlation. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval were reported. We found that 62.4% (1551) of the participants in 2007 had prolonged LOS after vaginal delivery, whereas the prevalence of LOS in the 2017 cohorts was 44.9% (3617). This constitutes a 17.5% decrease over the past decade investigated. Advanced maternal age (AOR = 1.24, 95% Cl 1.01–1.54), place of delivery (AOR = 1.18, 95% Cl 1.02–1.37), child’s size below average (AOR = 1.14; 95% Cl 1.03–1.25), and problems suffered during/after delivery (AOR = 1.60; 95% Cl 1.43–1.80) were significantly associated with prolonged (≥ 24 hours) length of hospitalization after vaginal delivery in 2017. However, among variables that were available in 2007, only those who sought delivery assistance from non-health professionals (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.00–3.61) were significantly associated with prolonged LOS in the 2007 cohort. Our study provides suggestive evidence of a reduction in prolonged LOS between the two-time points. Despite the reduction observed, more intervention targeting the identified predictors of LOS is urgently needed to further reduce post-vaginal delivery hospital stay. Also, given that LOS is an important indicator of medical services use, an accurate understanding of its prevalence and associated predictors are useful in assessing the efficiency of hospital management practices and the quality of care of patients in Ghana.
Introduction
Most new-born babies are born at home in rural communities which is not new phenomenon due to lack of access to primary healthcare services and trained skilled health attendants, exposing mothers and children to a high risk of labour complications. The purpose of this study was to better understand factors influence rural women's access to primary health care and skilled delivery services as well as their reasons for using or not using maternal health care and skilled delivery services.
Methods
The study employed a social survey design with a quantitative approach to data analysis. Cluster Sampling was used, possibly based on rural communities, to efficiently collect data from different geographic locations. Simple random sampling individuals from each cluster ensures that all eligible individuals have an equal chance of being included in the study. This enhances the representativity of the sample. A total of 366 mothers were selected from four rural communities in the North East Region of Ghana. The choice of sample size considered factors like the study's objectives, available resources, and the desired level of statistical power. Data was primarily gathered through the administration of a questionnaire to the respondents. Factors considered for achieving representativity include, geographic representation, accessibility, healthcare infrastructure and healthcare professionals’ attitudes.
Findings
The study found that distance to health centres limits women's access to skilled delivery services. Lack of primary health facilities in the rural communities hamper maternal and child care services delivery. The attitude of health care professionals determines a mother’s utilisation of maternal health care and skilled delivery services.
Conclusion
The study contributes to the limited research on maternal health services and their impact on mother and child health in the study area. This study is one of the first to investigate into maternal health care as a key predictor of mother and child health in the study area. The study's theoretical lens was the Andersen and Newman Health Behavioural Model theory, which supports the explanation of distance, lack of primary health centres, attitudes and lack of skilled personnel to the non-utilisation of maternal and health services in rural communities. The study recommended that primary healthcare facilities and trained health professionals should be a priority of government in rural communities to promote maternal and child healthcare.
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