Factors Affecting Health Seeking Behavior and Health Services in Pakistan

An examination of the structural linkages between households and community health services in realization of accelerated primary healthcare delivery in Kisumu County, Kenya: a systematic review

“…The selected studies at global, regional and local levels based on the narrative synthesis review have highlighted how the health-seeking behaviour influences the choices of households/communities in utilizing the CHS provided by the CHWs. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Findings show that a total of seven studies focussing on the role of social and cultural factors shows the impact on the choice of CHS from detection of illness to choosing the health care services. 39 In Pakistan, Mushtaq et al 35 found that the low position of women from a cultural perspective undermines their freedom to make health choices for themselves and their children without the consent of the head of household.…”

“…[32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Findings show that a total of seven studies focussing on the role of social and cultural factors shows the impact on the choice of CHS from detection of illness to choosing the health care services. 39 In Pakistan, Mushtaq et al 35 found that the low position of women from a cultural perspective undermines their freedom to make health choices for themselves and their children without the consent of the head of household. In some cases, the limited number of female health workers limits the women's access to health care and influences their decision on whether to deliver children at home or in a facility using skilled personnel.…”

“…In some cases, the limited number of female health workers limits the women's access to health care and influences their decision on whether to deliver children at home or in a facility using skilled personnel. 32,35,36 Three key selected studies looked at geographical factors and how distance from the health facility could influence the health-seeking behaviour and the choice of CHS. [40][41][42] For instance, the study by Mazzi et al, 42 conducted in Uganda, examined the geographical factors that influence health-seeking behaviour by looking at proximity to the health care services.…”

“…38, the social and cultural factors affect the steps of the process from the detection of symptoms to choosing health care services. A study by Mushtaq et al 35 in Pakistan provides evidence to show that issues of gender and NCD burden are critical in influencing the health-seeking patterns of households.…”

“…Studies are also showing that women are disadvantaged due to cultural reasons from making health choices for themselves and their children without the consent of the head of household. 32,35 In some contexts, the limited number of female health workers limits the women's access to health care and accounts for the growing burden of the NCDs, such as hypertension. This is also corroborated in a qualitative study conducted in North Eastern Kenya by N'Gbichi et al, 36 which observed that women will prefer home-delivery by a skilled attendant if there are no female nurses to attend to them in a hospital facility.…”