The Health-Seeking Behavior among Malaysian Adults in Urban and Rural Areas Who Reported Sickness

Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019

Bibliographic Data

ID15512553
AuthorsSarah Nurain Mohd Noh (0000-0003-2446-091X, Ministry of Health, corresponding author), Suhana Jawahir (0000-0001-5665-2479, Ministry of Health), Yeung R’ong Tan (0000-0001-6000-2575, Ministry of Health), Iqbal Ab Rahim (0000-0002-6213-7753, Ministry of Health), Ee Hong Tan (0000-0002-5971-6455, Ministry of Health)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue6
Pages3193-3193
Publication date2022-03-08
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19063193
PMID35328878
OpenAlexW4221082872
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited61

Understanding care-seeking behavior among urban and rural populations can help to support the planning and implementation of appropriate measures to improve health in the community. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the health-seeking behavior among Malaysian adults in urban and rural areas who reported sickness. This study used data of Malaysian adults aged 18 years and over from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019; a cross-sectional, national household survey that targeted all non-institutionalized residents in Malaysia. Respondent's characteristics and health-seeking behavior were described using complex sample descriptive statistics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between potential factors (sociodemographic characteristics, enabling, and health need) and health-seeking behaviors (seeking treatment from healthcare practitioners and self-medication). A total of 10,484 respondents, estimated to represent 18.9 million Malaysian adults aged 18 years and over, were included in the analysis. Prevalence of seeking treatment from healthcare practitioners and self-medication among Malaysian adults with self-reported sickness were 57.3% and 23.3%, respectively. Self-reported sickness among both the urban and rural populations who rated their health as poor to very poor was more likely to seek treatment than those who rated good to excellent. However, among the urban population, those who rated their health as poor to very poor were less likely to self-medicate. Among the urban population, government employees were more likely to seek treatment, and being without formal education significantly increased the likelihood to self-medicate. Among the rural population, those with at least one long-term condition were more likely to seek treatment than those with none. Understanding the factors which influence health-seeking behavior among the urban and rural population could close the gaps in healthcare utilization among the population in Malaysia

Cross-sectional study · Descriptive statistics · Environmental health · Health care · Logistic regression · Population · Public health · Respondent · Rural area · Antibiotic Use and Resistance · Global Maternal and Child Health · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Nursing

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