Meritorious Health-seeking Behavior Evinced by Healthcare Workers in the Covid-19 Hit Kampala Capital City of Uganda; a Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Health seeking behavior (HSB) is simply an action or inaction of an individual towards their health. For various, at times justifiable reasons, HSB is generally low among healthcare workers in Ugandans. However, this situation could have changed during the covid 19 pandemic era. We set out to assess for determinants of HSB among Healthcare Workers (HWs) in Public and Private Facilities in the Covid-19 hit Kampala capital city of Uganda. Methods: This was a Cross-sectional study with an explanatory-sequential mixed methods design in which we consecutively recruited HWs from the selected health facilities during the study period and met eligibility criteria. A questionnaire was administered using the Open Data Toolkit system and data was later exported into STATA 17/MP for analysis. We summarized it in tables, graphs, mean and SD. Determinants of HSB were assessed using a modified Poison regression method with clustered robust standard errors. Qualitative data from focus group discussions was analyzed using Atlas.ti 9 using the inductive content analysis method. Results: We recruited 579 HWs. The mean and standard deviation of their age was 35±7 years. Majority were females 322 (55.6%). Most of the participants (n=240, 41.5%) worked in government hospitals. Majority 80.5% [95%CI 77.0-83.6] had undergone a medical check-up in the past 12 months. The factors that positively influenced HSB were having a Diploma aPR =0.86 [95%CI: 0.79-0.93], P<0.001, being widowed aPR =1.17 [95%CI: 1.12-1.22], P<0.001, having 10+ years of working experience aPR = 1.07 [95%CI: 1.01-1.13], P= 0.028, having a chronic illness aPR =1.10 [95%CI: 1.03-1.17], P=0.004, having a family doctor aPR=1.12 [95%CI: 1.04-1.21], P=0.004. From the focus group discussions, participants described routine medical check-up as being advantageous, however, sighted barriers to good HSB such as; fear of the unknown, mistrust among colleagues with their confidentiality and busy schedules. The suggested facilitators of good HSB included; good hospital policies, waiver money for medical checkups and treatment, increase salaries, having CMEs, and increased awareness about good HSB practices. Conclusions: Although not the desirable, commendable HSB was exhibited by HWs during the Covid-19 era a norm that must be replicated years after.