Malaria treatment health seeking behaviors among international students at the University of Ghana Legon

Abstract

Introduction Appropriate management of malaria demands early health-seeking behaviour upon suspicion of malaria-like symptoms. This study examined malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and associated factors among international students at the University of Ghana. Methods The study used a cross-sectional and quantitative approach. Data collection was undertaken using a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of 264 international students. Data obtained on malaria treatment and factors influencing treatment Behaviors were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22. Associations between individual characteristics and Malaria treatment-seeking behavior was assessed by Pearson Chi-square(X2 test of independence. A binary logistic regression model was built using a backwards Wald approach, with variables retained at Wald p-value <0.05. Results The findings show that 35% of the respondents obtained self-prescribed antimalarial at their first choice of malaria treatment. At bivariate level, a significant relationship between Malaria health-care seeking behaviour and:Respondent continent, X2 (1, N = 264) = 7.936, p = .005; Service accessibility, X2 (1, N = 264) = 7.624, p = .006; Wait time, X2 (1, N = 264) = 22.514, p <0.001; Treatment cost, X2 (1, N = 264) = 97.160, p <0.001; Health insurance, X2 (1, N = 264) = 5.837, p = 0.016, and Perceived staff attitude, X2 (1, N = 264) = 18.557, p < 0.001. At multivariable analysis, inappropriate malaria health-seeking behaviors was associated with low perceived service accessibility (aOR = 6.67). p<0.001), perceived long wait time (30mins), (aOR = 5.94; p = 0.015), perceived treatment PLOS ONE