Health seeking behaviors in influenza-like illness among healthcare providers in Angthong Province, Thailand

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe and determine relationship betweeninfluencing factors and health seeking behaviors (HSB) in influenza-like illness (ILI) among 290 of physicians, dentists, and nurses in 7 hospital in Angthong. The most were 35 - 50 years old and 92.8% were female. They were nurses 84.8%, physicians and dentists7.6% for each group. Only 65,22.4% had underlying disease and 38.3% got ILI during 1-3 months ago. Hand washing was the most way they behave (97.6%) and gloves were always used 74.5%. Annual checkup was performed 92.4%. Television was a mass media which used the most (205, 70.7%). 42.5% were confidence to take care themselves when they got ILI 67.9% got influenza vaccination in 2012. They were aware more about influenza transmission to their patients (228, 78.6%) and 233 (80.3%) thought influenza vaccination was a part of their responsibility. 55.2% had basic knowledge about influenza Inappropriate behavior; These influencing factors including male, more awareness of influenza transmission to patient, using PPE, and time since the most recent ILI were influencing factors of do nothing HSB. Male was more likely to do this HSB than female (OR= 10.09, p-value<0.001, 95%CI 3.122-32.612). And high score of knowing reason for staying at home was less likely to do self-medication without suggestion (OR= 0.86, p-value<0.015, 95%CI 0.764-0.971). Appropriate behavior; Influencing factors of self-medication with suggestion were using PPE, perception score and time since the most recent ILI. Using PPE was more likely to do this HSB than less use (OR= 1.29, p-value<0.016, 95%CI 1.049-1.582). Influencing factor of see doctor were male, married (ref=single), knowing cause of ILI, exposed to mass media, and perception score. Exposed to mass media was more likely to see doctor than unexposed (OR= 2.89, p-value<0.011, 95%CI 1.279-6.521). Influencing factor of rest at home were knowing how to prevent seasonal influenza and dentist (ref= doctor). Dentist was more likely to rest at home than doctor (OR= 8.50, p-value <0.014, 95%CI 1.549-46.611). *Very few of the study factors were significant with health seeking behaviour, suggesting that more researches needed to understand the determinate of the these behaviours.