Determinants of healthcare seeking behaviour among women of reproductive age in Uganda

Abstract

Women’s health-seeking behaviour (HSBs) is essential, as it affects not only their own health but also the health of their children and families. Often given less attention, this study examined the determinants of healthcare seeking behaviours among women of reproductive age in Uganda, highlighting the barriers and facilitators that influence their decisions and actions to seek healthcare. Secondary analysis was conducted for cross-sectional survey data obtained from the Uganda National Household Survey [UNHS], 2020 individual dataset. The final eligible sample consisted of 14,678 respondents who were women of reproductive age selected from the four statistical regions of Uganda. Frequency distributions for descriptive statistics were conducted, chi-square tests and logistic regressions to examine associations of demographic, socio-economic and health-related variables as predictors of women’s HSBs. Approximately, eight of every ten women (87%) interviewed sought healthcare the last time they needed it with no residence disparities; [rural (87%) versus urban (86%)]. Women’s HSB was statistically associated with having a secondary education (p=0.002), living in union or married (p=0.001), residing in the urban residence (p=0.039). The odds of HSB increased among women who had attained secondary education (OR = 4.13, 99% CI: 1.330 – 3.400), were from Northern Uganda (OR = 1.47, 95%, CI: 1. 998 – 2.167), having an affordable healthcare expenditure (OR = 11.04, 95% CI: 4.442 – 27.443), a moderately affordable transportation expenditure (OR = 13.07, 95% CI: 4.114 – 41.486) and though statistically significant lowered among women in union (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.320 – 0.741), those residing in urban residences (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.533 – 0.985), as well as those with no primary healthcare giver (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.274 – 0. 465). In retrospect, this was in comparison to those with no formal education, from Central Uganda, reporting expensive healthcare and transport costs and relying on a household member as a primary healthcare giver respectively. The study recommends that policy attention should focus on elevating women’s education, subsidization of healthcare, increase of Uganda’s healthcare facility density, poverty alleviation programmes targeting women empowerment as well as strengthening health systems.