Treatment seeking behaviour and associated factors among adults with high blood pressure from three selected states in Nigeria

Abstract

Management of hypertension is challenging in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria. This diversity calls for multi-dimensional interventional approaches for hypertension control. This study assessed the treatment seeking behaviour and associated factors among adults with high blood pressure from three ethnic groups in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 762 adults with high blood pressure from three purposively selected States representing the three main tribes in Nigeria. Using a multistage stratified sampling technique, five communities were selected from two Local Government Areas (LGAs) stratified into urban and rural LGAs in each State. All consenting respondents in each community were consecutively screened for hypertension and recruited. A pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, treatment seeking behaviour and factors affecting their choice. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Relationship between individual, health-related factors and treatment seeking behaviour, as well as the predictors were assessed using a binary logistic regression. at p<0.05 Participants’ mean age was 55.4 ± 16.6 years, 63.0% were females and most were Igbo speaking (39.9%). About half (368, 48.3%) were unaware of their status. Of those aware, most (58.9%) went to hospital upon diagnosis of hypertension while some sought advice from health care professionals (28.5%) mostly Hausas, others either went to chemists (6.2%) or did nothing (5.1%), predominantly Yorubas. Significant predictors of orthodox treatment seeking practices for hypertension were female gender [(AOR = 2.60; 95%CI (1.18–5.71)], availability of medicine and personnel [(AOR = 8.7; 95%CI (4.15–18.3)] and perceived good quality of care [(AOR = 4.88; 95%CI (1.81–13.1)]. Orthodox treatment was the common choice among adults with high blood pressure. To further encourage patronage of orthodox treatment, the health facilities should be adequately equipped with medications and trained personnel to improve the quality of care. Targeted education on continuous practice of orthodox treatment is recommended.

Insights into determinants of health-seeking behavior: a cross-sectional investigation in the Iraqi context

“…The significant gender discrepancies in healthcare consumption, as revealed by a large survey in the UK and repeated in mental health research across North America, provide a nuanced view of how societal, cultural, and individual factors interact to determine HSB. The fact that women contact their primary healthcare providers more frequently than males shows that there may be discrepancies in health awareness, societal expectations, and goals for well-being (19)(20)(21). These findings are consistent with broader conversations about gender roles, in which women may be taught to prioritize health maintenance, while cultural norms around masculinity may contribute to men's reluctance to seek medical care or openly address health concerns.…”

“…This approach allows for a better understanding of whether differences are explained by biological factors or indirect and consequently helps identify modifiable risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. The study also highlights the need for policy-makers to plan the measurement of sex at birth, gender identity, and gender-related variables in survey and patient registry developers to allow for more relevant, equitable, diversified, and inclusive future research (17)(18)(19)(20)(21).…”