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Health-seeking behaviour, referral patterns and associated factors among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in Ghana: A cross-sectional mixed method study

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  • Maame-Boatemaa Amissah-Arthur
  • Anna Gyaban-Mensah
  • Vincent Boima
  • Ernest Yorke
  • Dzifa Dey
  • Vincent Ganu
  • Charles Mate-Kole

Abstract

Background: Challenges exist in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune rheumatic diseases in low and middle income countries due to factors, such as poverty and under-resourced healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, other contributory factors such as societal, cultural and religious practices influence health seeking behaviour which has a bearing on access and delivery of healthcare. Objectives: To examine the health seeking behaviour and referral patterns of Ghanaian patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and assess the associated factors that influence these. Method: A cross-sectional study using an explanatory sequential mixed method design was carried out in a Rheumatology clinic at a national referral centre. 110 participants were purposively recruited for the quantitative phase. The qualitative phase comprised 10 participants for in-depth interviews and 10 participants for a focus group discussion. Analysis using descriptive statistics, t-tests and logistic regression models were performed. Transcripts generated from the interviews and focused group discussion were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Median duration from onset of symptoms until seeking help was 1 week (IQR = 12); from seeking help until obtaining a final diagnosis was 12 months (IQR = 33). Multiple factors determined the choice of first facility visited, X2 (12, N = 107) = 32.29, p = .001. Only twenty-one participants (19.6%) had knowledge of their disease prior to diagnosis. Education predicted prior knowledge [OR = 2.6 (95% CI = .66–10.12), p

Suggested Citation

  • Maame-Boatemaa Amissah-Arthur & Anna Gyaban-Mensah & Vincent Boima & Ernest Yorke & Dzifa Dey & Vincent Ganu & Charles Mate-Kole, 2022. "Health-seeking behaviour, referral patterns and associated factors among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in Ghana: A cross-sectional mixed method study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0271892
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271892
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