Health-seeking behaviors and associated factors in individuals with substance use disorders at Chainama Hills College Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
1 Chainama Hills College Hospital, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.
2 Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
3 School of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.
4 Lusaka District Health Office, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.
5 Texila American University Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
6 Department of Clinical and Basic Sciences, School of Nursing Sciences, University of Zambia.
7 Department of Psychiatry and Mental health Nursing, School of Nursing Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(03), 480–499
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.3.0424
Publication history:
Received on 01 February 2023; revised on 10 March 2023; accepted on 13 March 2023
Abstract:
Introduction: Studies in mental health care for low-resource settings indicate that providing services at the primary care level would significantly improve the provision utilization of mental health services. Challenges related to inadequate funding were noted as significant barriers to service provision, with the contribution of low knowledge of mental health conditions and stigma in the community.
Objective: This study aimed to assess and explore health-seeking behaviors and their associated factor at Chainama Hills College Hospital (CHCH), Lusaka, Zambia. The study was conducted at CHCH on clients and/or their caregivers receiving and accessing in- and outpatient (OPD) alcohol and drug detoxification and rehabilitation services at CHCH. 79 participants took part in the study taking into consideration all ethical issues.
Methodology: Data was collected using the structured questionnaire administered to 79 participants and primary caregivers. Qualitative data was collected using in-depth interviews captured using the digital recorder. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software and the digitally recorded responses for qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Factors influencing health-seeking behavior were related to health systems, socio-cultural, socioeconomic, and individual factors. The main system issues were related to the availability and attitudes of staff and the shortage of supplies and medicines.
Conclusion: The engagement of community health workers and increasing efforts to sensitize the community about mental health would prove beneficial. Strengthening the community health systems for mental health could improve access and increase the utilization of services.
Keywords:
Health-seeking behavior; Substance abuse; SUD; Addiction medicine: Addiction psychology; Community psychiatry
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0