Health-seeking behaviour and student perception of health care services in a university community in Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: Examining consumers’ healthcarebehavior can help in the design of ways to ensure better access to health and thequality of care. Health-seeking behavior is viewed as the varied response ofindividuals to states of ill-health, depending on their knowledge and perceptionsof health, socioeconomic constraints, adequacy of available health services andattitude of healthcare providers. This study examines health-seekingbehavior of university students, their use of healthcare services in the community and barriers to seeking help at the universityhealth centre. Method: Structured questionnaires were validated andadministered on a random sample of university students spread over differentacademic disciplines in a large institution. The sample consisted of 1608undergraduate students attending the public university in southwesternNigeria. Thedemographic profile reflects the national university student population.Relevant information was collected on preferred health services consulted bythe undergraduates such as barriers to seeking adequate medical attention andtheir experiences with salient aspects of service delivery. Responses wereweighted and the average was taken to be representative. Results: Studentsconsulted their peers (37.5%) in health related academic disciplines ratherthan seek treatment at the university health centre. Some students (24.7%)preferred community pharmacies while others took personal responsibilities fortheir health or abstained from medical care for religious reasons (16.8%).Significant barriers to seeking medical attention at the health centre werecost of care, protracted waiting time, inadequate health information,unfriendly attitude of healthcare workersand drug shortage. Conclusions: Students sought help from communitypharmacies (ease of access) and from peers in health related academicprogrammes rather than from physicians at the health centre. Health-seeking behaviorof the students was influenced, essentially, by the nature of ailment, waitingtime in the health facility and attitude of healthcare professionals. Implicationsfor policy, practice or delivery: The findings of this research identified therelative use of available health services within the university. Initiatives toimprove student access to the university health centre should address significant barriers of patientdelays, the need for attitudinal change and continuing professional developmentof relevant workers in the health facility. Promotional activities may benecessary to inform and educate students on rational use of medicines andaccess to treatment at the health centre.