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Treatment-Seeking Behavior Among Male Civil Servants in Northeastern Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Study

Author

Listed:
  • Pathman Arumugam

    (School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail

    (School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Aziah Daud

    (School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Kamarul Imran Musa

    (School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Noor Aman A. Hamid

    (School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Shaiful Bahari Ismail

    (School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Zakiah Mohd Said

    (Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya 62590, Malaysia)

Abstract

Background : Men’s health in Malaysia is slowly gaining more attention, but minimal research has examined how Malaysian men behave and seek treatment. While few studies have investigated men’s treatment-seeking behavior (TSB), those that have been conducted seem to be inconclusive and tend to yield contradictory findings. Objectives: This paper aims to determine the proportion of inappropriate TSB and to explore in-depth treatment-seeking behavior among male civil servants in northeastern Malaysia. Methods : This paper adopted a mixed-methods approach, specifically a concurrent parallel study design. A quantitative study using a self-administered questionnaire was performed to identify the proportion of appropriate and inappropriate TSB among male civil servants in northeastern Malaysia. Concurrently, a qualitative study was conducted involving six focus group discussion sessions, and the results of both parts were integrated to provide a detailed explanation of TSB among the participants. Results : A total of 381 participants were involved in the quantitative study, yielding a response rate of 94.8%; 246 (64.6%) engaged in inappropriate TSB. Some of the reported morbidities among the participants were hypertension (26.5%) and diabetes mellitus (26.2%). From the qualitative study, a main theme related to TSB emerged with several sub-themes, which were health literacy, stage of seeking treatment, preference for alternative treatment, perceived threat of illness, self-treatment, and the influence of family members and others. Conclusions : TSB among male civil servants in northeastern Malaysia is poor, and the factors contributing to it are multidimensional. This study has provided new valuable evidence on men’s TSB in northeastern Malaysia. The findings can be used to facilitate and improve current policies and the implementation of men’s health services throughout the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Pathman Arumugam & Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail & Aziah Daud & Kamarul Imran Musa & Noor Aman A. Hamid & Shaiful Bahari Ismail & Zakiah Mohd Said, 2020. "Treatment-Seeking Behavior Among Male Civil Servants in Northeastern Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2713-:d:345665
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stekelenburg, Jelle & Jager, Bastiaan E. & Kolk, Pascal R. & Westen, Esther H. M. N. & Kwaak, Anke van der & Wolffers, Ivan N., 2005. "Health care seeking behaviour and utilisation of traditional healers in Kalabo, Zambia," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 67-81, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dayang Hajyrayati Binti Awg Kassim & Siti Zaleha Raduan & Rasidah Abdul Wahab, 2023. "A Narrative Review of Health-Seeking Behaviour in Malaysia: Factors and Emerging Themes," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(7), pages 2109-2124, July.
    2. Muhammad Zikri Ab Aziz & Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail & Mohd Ismail Ibrahim & Najib Majdi Yaacob & Zakiah Mohd Said, 2022. "Experiences and Expectations of the Characteristics of Friendly Primary Health Services from the Perspective of Men: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-27, September.

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