SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR FOR MALARIA TREATMENT AMONG RURAL DWELLERS IN AKURE SOUTH LGA, ONDO STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the socio-cultural factors influencing health seeking behaviour for 
malaria treatment among rural dwellers in Akure South LGA, Ondo State. Specifically, the 
study examined the perception of rural people towards malaria; prevalence of malaria 
among rural dwellers; methods of treatment of malaria among rural dwellers; and 
identified the socio-cultural factors influencing health seeking behaviour for malaria 
treatment among rural dwellers in Akure South LGA, Ondo State. The study was cross- 
sectional research, which employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data 
collection. Questionnaire were administered to obtain quantitative data while In-Depth 
Interviews (IDIs) and Key-Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted to obtain 
qualitative data for the study. Four hundred (400) copies of questionnaire were 
administered while twelve (12) in-depth interview (IDI) were conducted among selected 
rural respondents and six (6) were conducted among selected health workers in Akure 
South LGA, Ondo State. The result showed that 93.3% of the respondents agreed that 
malaria is a common disease and more prevalent in areas that are prone to mosquitoes 
(86.2%); areas with poor drainage system 86.2%, and areas where there is no good and 
drinkable water supply 83.2%. The study also showed majority 72.4% of the respondents 
claimed that modern healthcare facilities are the best place of treatment. The study also 
revealed that there are various methods of treatment of malaria disease but modern 
medicine (drugs and injection) is the best method due to its effectiveness and availability. 
The study also showed that religious belief, custom/tradition, age, patent’s sex, availability 
of drugs, efficacy of treatment, distance from health facilities, social environment and 
nature of illness are the socio-cultural factors influencing health seeking behaviour for 
malaria treatment among rural dwellers. The study recommended that there is need to 
ensure that affordable public hospitals and clinics are situated across the rural 
communities in Akure South LGA of Ondo state so as to enable the rural dwellers to 
patronize the health facilities for malaria treatment.