Health‑seeking Behavioural Practices of the Elderly in Rural Community of Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The aging process increases the risks of contracting a disease among elderly people. Health‑seeking behaviour is poor among the aged in sub‑Saharan countries like Nigeria, escalating the burden of noncommunicable diseases and the cost of health care which further impact the utilisation of orthodox medicine. Aim: This study aims to assess the health‑care‑seeking behavioural practices and associated factors among elderly people in Ido‑Ekiti. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross‑sectional study was conducted among 420 elderly respondents in Ido‑Ekiti. An interviewer‑administered semi‑structured questionnaire was used to collect information. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and results were presented in the form of tables and bar charts. Chi‑square tests were used to test for associations. All data analysis was done at a 5% level of significance. Results: The age range of respondents was between 65 and 95 years, with a mean age of 73.88 ± 6.84 years and 64.0% within the age range of 65–75 years. About 63.3% of the respondents have had an episode of illness in the last year preceding the study and only 35.3% consulted a doctor for treatment (good health‑seeking behaviour); however, 57.9% of the respondents admitted utilising any of the following: self‑medication, consult spiritualist, and use of herbal medicine (poor health‑seeking behaviour). The factors statistically significantly associated with respondents’ health‑seeking behavioural practices are employment status (P < 0.001), educational level (P < 0.002), cost of health care, access to the health facility, length of time before consultation, beliefs, and lack of support from relations (P < 001). Conclusion: This study shows that the majority of the elderly had poor health‑seeking behaviour due to educational and economic factors. Making the free or subsidized cost of health care for the elderly in rural communities and the provision of monthly financial support to the aged by the government will promote and encourage good health‑seeking behaviour of old people.