Dataset Information

Risk factors, healthcare-seeking and sexual behaviour among patients with genital ulcers in Zambia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genital ulcers (GU) are associated with an increased risk of HIV transmission. Understanding risk factors for genital ulcers and sexual behaviour patterns after onset of symptoms and health seeking behaviour among GU-patients can provide useful information to aid design effective prevention strategies for genital ulcers. We investigated risk factors of self-reported GUs and care-seeking in the general population, and assessed GU patients regarding past care-seeking, recent sexual behaviour and partner awareness of the disease.

Methods

We analysed national data on genital ulcers from the 2007 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, and data from a cross-sectional survey of genital ulcer patients from primary health care facilities in Lusaka, Zambia.

Results

The prevalence of GU in 2007 in the general population of Lusaka was 3.6%. Important predictors for genital ulcers were age 25-29 years, being widowed/separated/divorced and having a high number of life-time sexual partners. No differences in care-seeking were observed by residence, wealth and gender, and 60% of the respondents sought care from public health facilities. Among patients with GUs in Lusaka, 14% sought care >2 weeks after symptom onset. Forty-two percent were not aware of their HIV status, 57% reported sex after onset of symptoms and only 15% reported consistent condom use.

Conclusions

Low awareness of HIV status despite high probability of being infected and low condom use after onset of genital ulcer symptoms leads to a high potential for transmission to sexual partners. This, combined with the fact that many patients with GUs delayed seeking care, shows a need for awareness campaigns about GUs and the importance of abstinence or use of condoms when experiencing such symptoms.

SUBMITTER: Makasa M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3490779 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Risk factors, healthcare-seeking and sexual behaviour among patients with genital ulcers in Zambia.

Makasa Mpundu M Fylkesnes Knut K Sandøy Ingvild F IF

BMC public health 20120606

<h4>Background</h4>Genital ulcers (GU) are associated with an increased risk of HIV transmission. Understanding risk factors for genital ulcers and sexual behaviour patterns after onset of symptoms and health seeking behaviour among GU-patients can provide useful information to aid design effective prevention strategies for genital ulcers. We investigated risk factors of self-reported GUs and care-seeking in the general population, and assessed GU patients regarding past care-seeking, recent sex ...[more]

PMID: 22672697

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Project description:BackgroundAlthough asthma is a serious public health concern in Zimbabwe, there is lack of information regarding the decision to seek for healthcare services among patients. This study aimed to determine the health care seeking behaviour of adult patients with asthma attending Chitungwiza Central Hospital in Zimbabwe.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 patients with asthma. A questionnaire with four thematic areas (i) patients' demographic characteristics, (ii) types of health seeking behaviours (iii) knowledge of asthma treatment and (iv) attitudes on asthma treatment was used.ResultsWe determined the sequence of remedial action that people undertake to rectify perceived ill health commonly referred to as health care seeking behaviours in 400 adult patients with asthma. This behaviour was considered good if the patient sought care at the hospital/clinic and or private practitioners. Poor health seeking behaviour was adjudged if patients sought no treatment, self-treated or resorted to traditional or faith healers for care.The majority 261(65.3%) of the study participants were females mainly between ages 29-39?years who lived in the urban setting. Distance to health facility, perception of supportive roles of healthcare providers, perceived good quality of service and knowledge of asthma complications were key determinants for health seeking behaviour. The results showed that majority 290 (72.5%) reported good health seeking behaviour. The correlates of good health seeking behaviour included financial capacity to pay for medical care [OR: 0.50 (CI: 0.31-0.83); p?=?0.008)] and receiving good quality of asthma treatment [OR: 0.59 (CI: 0.37-0.93); p?=?0.03)]. The inability to voluntarily seek own asthma treatment [OR: 1.68 (CI: 1.05-2.70); p =?0.03) was a significant risk factor (68% more likely) for poor health seeking behaviour.ConclusionsWe concluded that prior to scaling up asthma treatment programmes in Zimbabwe, there is need to address, individual-level, community-level and health service level barriers to health seeking among asthma patients.

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Dataset Information

Risk factors, healthcare-seeking and sexual behaviour among patients with genital ulcers in Zambia.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Risk factors, healthcare-seeking and sexual behaviour among patients with genital ulcers in Zambia.

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