FACTORS INFLUENCING MALARIA AND TYPHOID TREATMENT AND HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG RURAL DWELLERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Malaria and typhoid are two leading illnesses that have great impact on rural dwellers due to limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, inadequate healthcare services, poor living conditions, and low socioeconomic status. This study examined the factors influencing malaria and typhoid treatment and health seeking behaviour among rural dwellers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional research that employed mixed methods, including quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative data was collected from 383 respondents while qualitative data was generated from 18 individuals. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS software package version 25.0 and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and discussed alongside the quantitative data. The findings showed that all the respondents (100%) are knowledgeable of the symptoms, causes and treatment of malaria and typhoid. The study found that 88.4% of the respondents preferred to use modern medicines (drugs and injection) and traditional medicine methods to treat malaria and typhoid diseases. The study also found that 63.1% of respondents identified cost of treatment, nature of illness, and efficacy of treatment as the significant factors influencing malaria and typhoid treatment and health-seeking behavior. Additionally, the findings revealed that low income (85.6%), nature of illness/environment (84.3%), patient's occupation (75.2%), and place of residence (72.6%) were the most significant factors influencing malaria and typhoid treatment and health-seeking behavior. It recommended that government should encourage the collaboration between allopathic medicine and indigenous African medicine.