Health care seeking-behaviour of people in Schistosomiasis endemic communities of Ogun and Niger States, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of the dynamics of health-care seeking-behaviour of people living in communities endemic for schistosomiasis was carried out in Borgu and Shagamu Local Government areas of Niger State and Ewekoro, Odeda and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered, which was complimented with Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and in-depth interviews. The study investigated the knowledge, perceptions, beliefs and practices of the people with regards to the signs/symptoms, sources of the infection, actions taken in treating the infection and their preferred health care options. While 64.4% of the 236 respondents identified the river as the source of infection, 67% also mentioned blood in urine, 36.4% mentioned itching and 22.9% mentioned drowsiness as some of the symptoms of the infection: About 59% preferred the orthodox method of treatment and 31.7% preferred both orthodox and traditional methods. It was discovered that the cost of treatment and health education had a significant impact on the respondents' health care seeking-behaviour.

Keywords: health, seeking, schistosomiasis, endemic, communities

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 25, 2005: 121-126