Impact of Geographical Proximity on Health Care Seeking Behaviour in Northern Oman
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2008, Vol 8, Issue 3
Abstract
Despite its impact on health policy, the relationship between geographical proximity and health care seeking has received scant attention in the medical literature. Tis paper aims to evaluate the relationship between geographic proximity and health care usage behaviour among patients seeking medical consultation in the northern region of Oman. Methods: During 2006- 2007, data was collected via face-to-face interviews among 428 randomized patients seeking medical consultation in various primary health care centres in the northern region of Oman. Te association between geographical proximity as a reason to seek health care and other predictors was also analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Te data suggest that preference for geographical proximity as a reason for seeking health care is strongly associated with marital status, previous exposure to traditional medicine and health education, as well as history of immunisation. Conclusion: Tis finding supports the view from elsewhere that geographical proximity remains a strong catalyst for care seeking in Oman. Te psychosocial factors affecting care seeking are discussed.
Authors and Affiliations
Ahmed Al-Mandhari| Departments of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Samir Al-Adawi| Departments of Behavioural Sciences, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Ibrahim Al-Zakwani| Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Mohammed Al-Shafaee| Departments of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Liyam Eloul| Stanford University, USA
Keywords
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