Factors influencing the health-seeking behavior among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte /
Norlisah M. Pangcatan.
- x, 76 leaves : color illustrations, maps
Graduate School of Public and Development Management
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment remains essential components for effective tuberculosis (TB) control. Delay in TB diagnosis may increase infectivity, worsen the disease state, and enhance the risk of death. Some of the rural communities who manifest symptoms of TB do not seek or delaying medical care, thus decrease case detection rate. Health-seeking behaviour of TB patients could be attributed to many factors which causing them to delay consult to a medical provider. This study aimed to determine factors influencing the health-seeking behaviour among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte. Patients who were 15 years old and above and diagnosed with TB were included in the study. Information was gathered through one-on-one interview with guided questions to obtain the socio-demographic data, start of initial symptom until the initial care done, and the knowledge on TB. Findings showed that patients' behaviour on seeking health seemed to be poor as well as their knowledge on TB. Other identified factors associated with a longer delay in seeking TB care were older age group, residence located at further distances from health facility, lower socio-economic status, cost of transportation, and availability of the health facility in the area. Therefore, it is important to understand their behaviors and causes of delay in order to plan for interventions that yield the maximum benefit such as increasing the quality of IEC Campaigns on TB during each barangay visit.