Faculty
Year of Publication
Keyword
Publication Type
Abstract
Background: Health beliefs and health-seeking behaviours are major determinants of women’s health outcomes, particularly in reproductive health. In Nigeria, women of reproductive age face multiple challenges, including cultural and religious norms, socioeconomic constraints, and limited access to quality healthcare, all of which delay or prevent timely care-seeking. These barriers contribute significantly to the country’s high maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Understanding how health beliefs shape health-seeking behaviour is therefore essential for improving women’s engagement
with formal healthcare services and reducing preventable complications. Objective: This study aimed to assess health beliefs, health-seeking behaviours and the influence of these health beliefs on the health-seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in Oredo
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2024 to 2025among 590 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method, and data were collected through a pre-tested, structured, interviewer- administered questionnaire that covered socio-demographic characteristics, health beliefs, and health-seeking behaviours. Data was analysed using IBMSPSS version26. Descriptive statistics summarised respondents’ characteristics, Chi-square tests assessed associations between variables, and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of health beliefs and health-seeking behaviour. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A majority of respondents 304 (51.5%) demonstrated positive health beliefs, with many perceiving their health as good or excellent. Educational status and
15 socioeconomic level were significantly associated with positive health beliefs (p<0.05). Overall, health-seeking behaviour was good, as most respondents, 398 (67.5) reported willingness to seek formal healthcare services. However, barriers such as Distance 94 (32.8%), financial constraints 86 (30.0%), long waiting time 109 (38.1), Religious factors 108 (37.8%) and lack of trust in healthcare systems 106 (37.1%) were noted. Health beliefs strongly shaped care-seeking behaviour, with some respondents substituting or delaying formal healthcare in favour of herbal remedies, cultural traditions, or religious practices. Conclusion: A majority of respondents demonstrated positive health beliefs, with good health-seeking behaviour. Most respondents preferred formal healthcare services;
however, barriers to proper healthcare utilization, such as cost, distance, poor staff
attitude, and long waiting times, were reported. Health beliefs strongly shaped care- seeking behaviour, with some respondents delaying or substituting formal healthcare in favour of alternative practices such as herbal medicines, faith-based healings and cultural practices. Keywords: Health beliefs, Health-seeking behaviour, Cultural practices, Women of reproductive age, Nigeria
with formal healthcare services and reducing preventable complications. Objective: This study aimed to assess health beliefs, health-seeking behaviours and the influence of these health beliefs on the health-seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in Oredo
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2024 to 2025among 590 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method, and data were collected through a pre-tested, structured, interviewer- administered questionnaire that covered socio-demographic characteristics, health beliefs, and health-seeking behaviours. Data was analysed using IBMSPSS version26. Descriptive statistics summarised respondents’ characteristics, Chi-square tests assessed associations between variables, and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of health beliefs and health-seeking behaviour. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A majority of respondents 304 (51.5%) demonstrated positive health beliefs, with many perceiving their health as good or excellent. Educational status and
15 socioeconomic level were significantly associated with positive health beliefs (p<0.05). Overall, health-seeking behaviour was good, as most respondents, 398 (67.5) reported willingness to seek formal healthcare services. However, barriers such as Distance 94 (32.8%), financial constraints 86 (30.0%), long waiting time 109 (38.1), Religious factors 108 (37.8%) and lack of trust in healthcare systems 106 (37.1%) were noted. Health beliefs strongly shaped care-seeking behaviour, with some respondents substituting or delaying formal healthcare in favour of herbal remedies, cultural traditions, or religious practices. Conclusion: A majority of respondents demonstrated positive health beliefs, with good health-seeking behaviour. Most respondents preferred formal healthcare services;
however, barriers to proper healthcare utilization, such as cost, distance, poor staff
attitude, and long waiting times, were reported. Health beliefs strongly shaped care- seeking behaviour, with some respondents delaying or substituting formal healthcare in favour of alternative practices such as herbal medicines, faith-based healings and cultural practices. Keywords: Health beliefs, Health-seeking behaviour, Cultural practices, Women of reproductive age, Nigeria
Supervisor(s)
co-supervisor