Abstract: This study was undertaken to ascertain the health seeking behaviour of market traders in DeKINA local government area of Kogi state-Nigeria. The study has noted that the health seeking behaviour of the traders is influenced by several factors such as availability of money, nearness of the health establishment, attitude of the health personnel and cultural factors. The study has shown that the traders seek medical care through self-medication, patronage of traditional herbalists and patent medicine vendors. The study has observed that all these health seeking behaviours have potential consequences and has therefore recommended that the level of health care in the rural areas be raised to the existing level in urban centres. All tiers of government should carryout poverty alleviation programmes in the rural areas to remove the barriers that inhibit people’’ access to health care services. The study has also recommended that awareness campaigns should be carried out to enlighten the people, especially the rural dwellers, on the dangers associated with self-medication and the patronage of traditional medical providers.
Keywords: Assessment; Health seeking; Behaviour; Dekina.
Title: An Assessment of the Health Seeking Behaviour of Market Traders in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State
Author: Venatus V. KAKWAGH
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Research Publish Journals
