The influence of sociodemographic behavioural variables on health-seeking behaviour and the utilisation of public and private hospitals in Ghana
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 11 May 2021
Issue publication date: 10 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Several studies have described health-seeking behaviour within the context of various diseases, the health status and age group. However, knowledge on patient health-seeking behaviour in the use of public and private hospitals and socio-demographic characteristics in developing countries is still scarce. This paper examines the influence of socio-demographic behavioural variables on health-seeking behaviour and the use of public and private health facilities in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research approach uses the modified SERVQUAL dimension as a data collection tool. Descriptive statistics with Pearson's chi-square test were conducted to determine the relationship between socio-demographic behavioural variables and health-seeking behaviour of patients using public and private hospitals.
Findings
The results showed that there is a significant relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics (sex, marital status, education, level of income) and the health-seeking behaviour of patients in regard to the utilisation of public and private health facilities (p < 0.000).
Originality/value
There is a significant relationship between patients' socio-demographic variables and their choice and utilisation of public and private healthcare services. This information is of value to policy makers so that they have an idea on the socio-demographic behavioural variables that influence patients' health-seeking behaviour.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the hospitals administrations for granting us permission to enter the premises for data collection. We are also grateful to the patients who agreed to participate in the interviews. The authors are also grateful to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, particularly the Department of Sociology and Social Work, for providing us with an ethical clearance letter for the hospitals.
Funding: There is no funding for this paper.
Conflict of interest: There is no conflict of interest.
Citation
Adongo, A.A., Dapaah, J.M., Azumah, F.D. and Onzaberigu Nachinaab, J. (2022), "The influence of sociodemographic behavioural variables on health-seeking behaviour and the utilisation of public and private hospitals in Ghana", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 42 No. 5/6, pp. 455-472. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2021-0068
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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