International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) |Volume IX, Issue IX, September 2022|ISSN 2321-2705
Uka-Kalu Chioma Ezinne; Oparaocha, E.T.
Abstract: The rationale for this research was to assess the determinants of wellness seeking behaviours among adults in Abia and Imo States, Nigeria. The research was guided by three null hypotheses. Specifically, the research was directed to ascertain whether there is significant effect of demographic factors on wellness seeking behavior among the adults in Imo and Abia States, whether there is significant effect of health service-based factors on wellness seeking behaviour among the adults in Imo and Abia States and if there is significant effect of socioeconomic factors on the wellness seeking behaviour among adults in Imo and Abia States. The study sampled 2,400 adults in total and 1,200 adults in each state using multi-stage and random sampling technique. The study was underpinned by one theory, which is: Health Belief Model. From the study results, the following were noted: there is a significant effect of health service-based factors on wellness seeking behaviour among the adults in Imo and Abia States, there is a significant effect of demographic factors on wellness seeking behavior among the adults in Imo and Abia States and there is a positive significant effect of the socioeconomic factors on the wellness seeking behaviour among adults in Imo and Abia States.
Keywords: Wellness seeking behaviour; Adults, Determinants; Imo State; Abia State, Nigeria.
I. INTRODUCTION
Wellness seeking behaviour is situated within the broader concept of health behaviour, which encompasses activities undertaken to maintain good health, to prevent ill health, as well as dealing with any departure from a good state of health (Mackian, 2003). Wellness seeking behaviour is “any action or inaction undertaken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate remedy” (Olenja, 2004). The wellness seeking behaviour of a people determines how health services are used and in turn the health outcomes of populations (Shaikh and Hatcher, 2005). Factors that determine wellness seeking behaviour may be physical, socio-economic, cultural, or political. Indeed, the utilisation of a health care system may depend on educational levels, economic factors, cultural beliefs, and practices. Other factors include environmental conditions, socio-demographic factors, knowledge about the facilities, gender issues, political environment, and the health care system itself (Katung, 2001; Ogunlesi and Olanrewaju, 2010).