Health Seeking Behaviour Among Rural Dwellers in Selected Areas in Benin-republic: a Cross Sectional Study

Health Seeking Behaviour Among Rural Dwellers in Selected Areas in Benin-republic: a Cross Sectional Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Health Seeking Behaviour Among Rural Dwellers in Selected Areas in Benin-republic: a Cross Sectional Study Sunday Charles Adeyemo This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4237605/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Objective Health seeking behavior is a major, fundamental and crucial aspect of healthcare, as it determines how individuals perceive, seek, and utilize healthcare services. Understanding health seeking behavior is essential in promoting health outcomes and preventing diseases of any kind. The study aims to assess health seeking behavior and factors influencing decision to seek medical care among rural dwellers in Cotonou, Portnovo and Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic. Results One hundred and seventeen (33.4%) respondents do not seek medical care when they feel unwell while only 13 (3.7%) seek health care immediately. Majority (269,76.9%) do not think medical attention can help when they are unwell and majority 260 (74.3%) are not aware of the consequences of not seeking medical attention. Majority of the respondents 244 (69.7%) chose cost of medical care and accessibility to the facility as factors that influences their decision to seek medical care. Medical care access health care traditional healer Figures Figure 1 Introduction The indigenous population's poor economic standing and level of education frequently contribute to health disparities.[ 1 ] However, there are reports that the native inhabitants are going through a socioeconomic transition. [ 2 ] Compared to the general population, the rural persons have poorer life expectancy, a higher burden of communicable diseases and undernutrition, and a lower rate of child survival. [ 3 ] The Benin Republic government has taken action to promote the socioeconomic development of the rural dwellers under the direction of Benin's National Health Development Plan (Plan National de Dèveloppement, Ministère de la Santé). The primary healthcare provider in Benin Republic is the Ministry of Health Benin (Ministère de la Santé), which has established unique services such establishing hospitals and clinics specifically for interior patients, providing transportation and treatment, establishing landing zones in distant places where local patients typically stay, and more. The dialects, cultures, and beliefs of the various rural communities in Benin Republic are diverse. These communities are dispersed among a variety of physical settings, including riverine and coastal regions, with varying degrees of access to contemporary medical facilities. The desire for traditional and spiritual methods of healing, health beliefs, and regional constraints among rural dwellers may influence their choice of healthcare practitioner. Understanding health seeking behavior is crucial in promoting health outcomes and preventing diseases. Health-seeking behaviours (HSB) are closely linked with the health status of a nation and thus its economic development. [ 4 ][ 5 ]. There is scarce information on health seeking behavior especially among rural dwellers in Benin Republic. Therefore, this study aims to assess health seeking behavior and factors influencing decision to seek medical care among rural dwellers in Cotonou, Port-novo and Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic. Methods A cross sectional study was used to assess the health seeking behaviour and factors influencing decision to seek medical care, among rural dwellers in Cotonou, Port-novo and Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic. The Fisher's formula (n = z²pq/d²) was used to determine the sample size for a finite population. The top three towns in Benin were predicted to house approximately 500,000 people in total. Previous research estimated that 31% of individuals in neighboring nations sought appropriate medical care. 350 people who had been ill within the last 30 days made up the lowest required sample (n) for a 95% confidence level, a standard normal deviation (z) of 1.96, and a 5% margin of error (d). Two hundred households were selected from the three sub-metropolitan areas using a multi-stage sampling technique. 350 respondents were selected from the households random sampling technique. Data was collected using interviewer- administered semi-structured questionnaire which was developed after review of relevant literatures. Data collected were sorted and analyzed with the use of IBM Statistical Package for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25 software. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize all variables. Results Majority of respondents were female (75.4%) and between the ages of 36–55 years old (64%). Most had completed secondary school while a large portion (82%) reported being unemployed. Additionally, most respondents earned less than 50,000 xof in income per year. Finally, over half of those surveyed (52%) identified as being from the fon ethnic group.[Table 1 ] The survey data collected on health-seeking behavior revealed that a significant portion of respondents delayed seeking medical care when feeling unwell, with 33.4% only doing so when their condition worsened. A majority of participants, 76.9%, believed that medical attention could help, while 74.3% were unaware of the consequences of not seeking medical care. Additionally, 42.6% thought it was neutral to develop a serious medical condition if they didn't seek medical attention. All respondents did not have health insurance, showing a lack of coverage for medical expenses among the surveyed population.[Table 2 ] Several factors were identified by respondents to influence their decision to seek medical care. It was a multiple-choice question which included the severity of symptoms, cost of medical care, accessibility of the facility, previous experience and religious beliefs. Large percentage of the respondents (244, 69.7%) reported that cost of medical care and accessibility of the health facility were major factors that influence their decision to seek health care.[Table 2 ]. Traditional healers were identified as the preferred healthcare provider by most respondents (204,58.3%).[Fig. 1 ] Table 1: Demographic characteristics of respondents Demographic characteristics Frequency Percentage Age 25 – 35 36 – 55 > 55 90 224 36 25.7% 64% 10.3% Gender Male Female 264 86 75.4% 24.6% Educational level Primary Secondary Tertiary 66 280 4 18.9% 80% 1.1% Employment status Self employed Government staff Corporate worker Unemployed Student Retired 18 4 14 287 14 13 5.1% 1.1% 4% 82% 4% 3.8% Monthly income level 100, 000 xof 280 40 30 80% 11.4% 8.6% Ethnicity Yoruba Fon Egun Fulani Others 106 182 44 12 6 30.3% 52.0% 12.6% 3.4% 1.7% Table 2: Health seeking behaviour of respondents Health seeking behavior Frequency Percentage How often do you seek medical care when you feel unwell? Immediately Within a week After several weeks Only when condition worsen Never 13 20 80 100 117 3.7% 11.4% 22.9% 28.6% 33.4% Do you think medical attention can help? Yes No Neutral 20 269 61 5.7% 76.9% 17.4% Are you aware of the consequences of not seeking medical attention? Yes No Neutral 18 260 72 5.1% 74.3% 20.6% How likely do you think you can develop a serious medical condition if you don’t seek medical attention Very likely Likely Neutral Unlikely Very unlikely 14 27 149 132 28 14% 7.7% 42.6% 37.7% 8% Do you have health insurance No 350 100% What Influences Your Decision to Seek Medical Care Severity of symptoms + Cost of medical care + Accessibility of the facility Cost of medical care +Accessibility of the facility Severity of the symptoms + Previous experience Frequency 92 244 11 Percentage 26.3% 69.7% 3.1% Discussion The data reveals significant challenges in health-seeking behavior among the surveyed population in Benin Republic. A staggering one-third of respondents never seek medical care when feeling unwell, while less than tenth seek care immediately. Surprisingly, about 4 out of 5 respondents do not believe that medical attention can help when they are unwell, suggesting a low perceived value of modern healthcare services. Bad enough, more than 7 out of 10 are unaware of the potential consequences of not seeking proper medical attention, which could further exacerbate delays in seeking care. This suggests that there may be a lack of awareness among the respondents regarding the importance and benefits of seeking medical attention when necessary. More than half of the respondents prefer traditional healers as healthcare provider over clinics and pharmacies, reflecting cultural preferences and beliefs[ 5 ]. It is also quite alarming that none of the respondents have health insurance, which can further compound the financial constraints in seeking healthcare services. Socio-economic status plays a vital role in health-seeking behavior. Those with low incomes may delay seeking care because of high costs of treatment, consultation fees, transportation, and medication. Education level also impacts health-seeking - those with lower education may have limited knowledge about health issues and the importance of timely medical care. Employment status matters too - the unemployed or those in informal work may lack health insurance or employee medical benefits. About 7 out 10 respondents reported cost of medical care and accessibility of the facility as primary factors influencing individuals' decisions to seek medical care. This highlights the significant financial and geographic barriers to healthcare access. The study by Abdulraheem et al. (2011) in rural Nigeria aligns with the findings of this study on cost of care and distance to facilities being major barriers, as well as the preference for traditional/spiritual healers over modern medicine, as seen in the high use of traditional healers (58.3%) in our data. However, their study found higher rates of health insurance coverage compared to none in our population. Sato's research (2012) in Benin echoes our findings on financial constraints and poor accessibility hindering health-seeking decisions. It also notes the influence of traditional beliefs and limited awareness about modern healthcare, similar to the low perceived value (76.9%) and lack of awareness (74.3%) which was observed in this study. Additionally, it discusses gender norms as a barrier, potentially related to the predominance of female respondents (75.4%) among the respondents of this study. Musah's study (2018) in rural Ghana also aligns with the findings of this study on cost being the primary barrier to accessing healthcare. Overall, the key challenges we identified - financial barriers, accessibility issues, cultural preferences, lack of insurance, and limited health education/awareness - are consistent with literature from similar contexts in West Africa (Abdulraheem et al., 2011; Sato, 2012; Musah, 2018). However, nuances like reliance on traditional healers may vary across regions or communities. Implications of Findings The result of our research have significant implications for public health policy, healthcare provision, and health education in Benin Republic. The alarming percentage of respondents who do not seek medical care when feeling unwell (33.4%) and the lack of confidence in medical attention (76.9%) underscore the need and importance for targeted public health policies. These policies should aim at increasing access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, and improve the affordability of healthcare to encourage timely and prompt medical care-seeking behavior. In terms of healthcare provision, the preference for traditional healers (58.3%) among respondents highlights the importance of integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system. Healthcare providers should be trained to work collaboratively with traditional healers to provide holistic and culturally sensitive care. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services to address the concerns raised by the respondents regarding the cost (69.7%) and accessibility (69.7%) of healthcare[ 6 ]. Recommendations To address the challenges identified in health-seeking behavior among individuals in Benin Republic, it is recommended that the implementation of the following strategies be carried out: Health Education and Awareness Campaigns: Launch targeted campaigns to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment of diseases. These campaigns should focus on dispelling myths about healthcare, promoting the benefits of seeking timely medical care, and raising awareness of available healthcare services. Improving Accessibility of Healthcare Services: Implement strategies to improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services, especially in rural areas. This could include increasing the number of healthcare facilities in underserved areas, providing subsidies or incentives for healthcare providers to practice in rural areas, and improving transportation infrastructure to facilitate access to healthcare facilities. For further research, we suggest the following areas to deepen the understanding of health-seeking behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in Benin Republic: Longitudinal Studies: Conduct longitudinal studies to track changes in health-seeking behavior over time and assess the impact of interventions on healthcare utilization. Qualitative Research:Conduct qualitative research to explore the cultural beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions that influence health-seeking behavior in different communities. Evaluation of Interventions: Evaluate the effectiveness of health education campaigns and strategies to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability in improving health outcomes and healthcare utilization rates. Comparative Studies: Conduct comparative studies to compare health-seeking behavior and healthcare utilization patterns among different demographic groups and regions in Benin Republic. These research areas can provide valuable insights into the factors influencing health-seeking behavior and help guide the development of effective policies and interventions to improve healthcare provision in Benin Republic. Strengths and Limitations of the study One strength of the study is the large sample size (350 respondents), which increases the reliability and generalizability of your findings. Additionally, the inclusion of diverse demographic characteristics in your sample, such as age, gender, and educational level, provides a comprehensive understanding of health-seeking behavior in Benin Republic. However, the limitation of the study is the reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias and social desirability bias. Future research could consider using objective measures, such as medical records, to validate self-reported health-seeking behavior. Additionally, the cross-sectional nature of your study limits the ability to establish causal relationships between variables. Longitudinal studies could provide more robust evidence of the factors influencing health-seeking behavior over time. Declarations Ethical approval Ethical Approval was obtained from Esep Le Berger universite Research Ethical Committee in accordance to the institutions recommendation of None clinical trial Research of the Ethical guidlines with ref. Number ESEP/EC/2024/700. Consent for Publication Not Applicable. Authors Consent to Publication All authors gave their full consent to this publication. Availability of data and material The data for this study is available on reasonable request from the corresponding author. Funding The study was funded by the authors Acknowledgements The authors wish to acknowledge and duly appreciate the efforts and contributions of everyone involved in making this project a success story. Competing interests The authors know no competing interest for this study. Authors’ contribution Sunday Charles Adeyemo- Study design, Blessing Ele Idris- Data collection, manuscript writing; Akwa Saviour- Data collection, manuscript writing; Eniola Dorcas Oluwafemi - Data analysis; Obehi Are-Daniel - Data analysis; Olagunju Funsho-Data collection and Ethical compliance; Folasade Aremu- Data collection; Sunday Olanrewaju- Supervision; Calistus Akinleye- Supervision; Isreal Abiodun Rabiu- Data collection; James E. Atolagbe- Supervision References World Health Organisation. Sustainable Development Goal Indicators- United Nations Statistic Division. World Bank Group. "Tracking Universal Health Coverage". April 2020. Africa Development Bank group, 2023.https://www.afdb.org/en/countries/west-africa/benin World Health Organization. (2018). Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world. Latunji OO, Akinyemi OO. Factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria. Ann Ibadan Postgrad Med 2018; 16: 52–60. Akeju DO, Oladapo OT, Vidler M, Akinmade AA, Qureshi R, Solarin M, et al. Determinants of health care seeking behaviour during pregnancy in Ogun State, Nigeria. Reprod Health 2016; 13: 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0139-7 World Health Organisation. Economic and social impacts and benefits of health systems. Report by Tammy Boyce and Chris Brown. 2019.Page 3,5. WHO regional office for Europe, Denmark. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4237605","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":405797945,"identity":"a6c9af40-becb-412f-ab12-91bc38fb2a1f","order_by":0,"name":"Sunday Charles Adeyemo","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA80lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCSB+AGbxMDB8AFJs7MRoSQAx2HgYGGeAaGZStDDzgBiEtPDPbn72IaGiLo9/fu/Bxza/tsnzMTMwfviYg8eSO8eMZyScOVwscYwv2Ti377ZhGzMDs+TMbbi1GEgkGDMkth1IbDjGYyad23ObEaiFjZkXr5b0zwyJ/+oS54O0WPbctidCSw7QlgbmxA0gLQw/bicS1CJxI6eYIeHY4WLDYznGhr0Nt5PbmBmb8fqFf0b6ZoYPNXV5cofPGD748ee27fz25oMfPuLRAgMJYJKxDUw2EFYP18LwhyjFo2AUjIJRMMIAAGi5TqYVMvy8AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Institut Superieur de Sante, Niamey, Niger Republic","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sunday","middleName":"Charles","lastName":"Adeyemo","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-04-08 15:53:07","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4237605/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4237605/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":74589942,"identity":"c70d90e9-af98-4391-916d-d97f27d8ed08","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-01-23 17:33:39","extension":"jpeg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":155322,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreference of health care provider among respondents\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4237605/v1/8720253f1d6e782ed28e0f55.jpeg"},{"id":77321984,"identity":"a07f2628-846f-4db1-b44b-7461f5b531d7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-27 11:39:25","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":798839,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4237605/v1/ebd2cfae-3966-4293-a3fe-2258a50e7b5a.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eHealth Seeking Behaviour Among Rural Dwellers in Selected Areas in Benin-republic: a Cross Sectional Study\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe indigenous population's poor economic standing and level of education frequently contribute to health disparities.[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e] However, there are reports that the native inhabitants are going through a socioeconomic transition. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e] Compared to the general population, the rural persons have poorer life expectancy, a higher burden of communicable diseases and undernutrition, and a lower rate of child survival. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Benin Republic government has taken action to promote the socioeconomic development of the rural dwellers under the direction of Benin's National Health Development Plan (Plan National de Dèveloppement, Ministère de la Santé). The primary healthcare provider in Benin Republic is the Ministry of Health Benin (Ministère de la Santé), which has established unique services such establishing hospitals and clinics specifically for interior patients, providing transportation and treatment, establishing landing zones in distant places where local patients typically stay, and more.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe dialects, cultures, and beliefs of the various rural communities in Benin Republic are diverse. These communities are dispersed among a variety of physical settings, including riverine and coastal regions, with varying degrees of access to contemporary medical facilities. The desire for traditional and spiritual methods of healing, health beliefs, and regional constraints among rural dwellers may influence their choice of healthcare practitioner.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding health seeking behavior is crucial in promoting health outcomes and preventing diseases. Health-seeking behaviours (HSB) are closely linked with the health status of a nation and thus its economic development. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e][\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. There is scarce information on health seeking behavior especially among rural dwellers in Benin Republic. Therefore, this study aims to assess health seeking behavior and factors influencing decision to seek medical care among rural dwellers in Cotonou, Port-novo and Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic.\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eA cross sectional study was used to assess the health seeking behaviour and factors influencing decision to seek medical care, among rural dwellers in Cotonou, Port-novo and Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic. The Fisher's formula (n = z²pq/d²) was used to determine the sample size for a finite population. The top three towns in Benin were predicted to house approximately 500,000 people in total. Previous research estimated that 31% of individuals in neighboring nations sought appropriate medical care. 350 people who had been ill within the last 30 days made up the lowest required sample (n) for a 95% confidence level, a standard normal deviation (z) of 1.96, and a 5% margin of error (d).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo hundred households were selected from the three sub-metropolitan areas using a multi-stage sampling technique. 350 respondents were selected from the households random sampling technique. Data was collected using interviewer- administered semi-structured questionnaire which was developed after review of relevant literatures. Data collected were sorted and analyzed with the use of IBM Statistical Package for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25 software. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize all variables.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eMajority of respondents were female (75.4%) and between the ages of 36\u0026ndash;55 years old (64%). Most had completed secondary school while a large portion (82%) reported being unemployed. Additionally, most respondents earned less than 50,000 xof in income per year. Finally, over half of those surveyed (52%) identified as being from the fon ethnic group.[Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe survey data collected on health-seeking behavior revealed that a significant portion of respondents delayed seeking medical care when feeling unwell, with 33.4% only doing so when their condition worsened. A majority of participants, 76.9%, believed that medical attention could help, while 74.3% were unaware of the consequences of not seeking medical care. Additionally, 42.6% thought it was neutral to develop a serious medical condition if they didn\u0026apos;t seek medical attention. All respondents did not have health insurance, showing a lack of coverage for medical expenses among the surveyed population.[Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral factors were identified by respondents to influence their decision to seek medical care. It was a multiple-choice question which included the severity of symptoms, cost of medical care, accessibility of the facility, previous experience and religious beliefs. Large percentage of the respondents (244, 69.7%) reported that cost of medical care and accessibility of the health facility were major factors that influence their decision to seek health care.[Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Traditional healers were identified as the preferred healthcare provider by most respondents (204,58.3%).[Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1: Demographic characteristics of respondents\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"620\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.1739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDemographic characteristics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 24.4767%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.3494%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.1739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 \u0026ndash; 35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36 \u0026ndash; 55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt; 55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 24.4767%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e224\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.3494%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.3%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.1739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGender\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 24.4767%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e264\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.3494%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.6%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.1739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEducational level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSecondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTertiary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 24.4767%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e280\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.3494%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.9%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.1739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEmployment status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf employed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGovernment staff\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCorporate worker\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRetired\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 24.4767%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e287\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.3494%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.8%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.1739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonthly income level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt; 50, 000 xof\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50,000 \u0026ndash; 100, 000 xof\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt; 100, 000 xof\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 24.4767%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e280\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.3494%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.6%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.1739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthnicity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYoruba\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFon\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEgun\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFulani\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 24.4767%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e106\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e182\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.3494%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.3%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e52.0%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.6%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2: Health seeking behaviour of respondents\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 69.5724%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHealth seeking behavior\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 69.5724%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often do you seek medical care when you feel unwell?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImmediately\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWithin a week\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfter several weeks\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOnly when condition worsen\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e117\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.9%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.6%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 69.5724%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you think medical attention can help?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNeutral\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e269\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76.9%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 69.5724%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre you aware of the consequences of not seeking medical attention?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNeutral\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e260\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.3%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.6%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 69.5724%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow likely do you think you can develop a serious medical condition if you don\u0026rsquo;t seek medical attention\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVery likely\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLikely\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNeutral\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnlikely\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVery unlikely\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e149\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e132\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42.6%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37.7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 69.5724%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you have health insurance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e350\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 69.5724%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Influences Your Decision to Seek Medical Care\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeverity of symptoms + Cost of medical care + Accessibility of the facility\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCost of medical care +Accessibility of the facility \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeverity of the symptoms + Previous experience\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e244\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.3%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe data reveals significant challenges in health-seeking behavior among the surveyed population in Benin Republic. A staggering one-third of respondents never seek medical care when feeling unwell, while less than tenth seek care immediately. Surprisingly, about 4 out of 5 respondents do not believe that medical attention can help when they are unwell, suggesting a low perceived value of modern healthcare services. Bad enough, more than 7 out of 10 are unaware of the potential consequences of not seeking proper medical attention, which could further exacerbate delays in seeking care. This suggests that there may be a lack of awareness among the respondents regarding the importance and benefits of seeking medical attention when necessary.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMore than half of the respondents prefer traditional healers as healthcare provider over clinics and pharmacies, reflecting cultural preferences and beliefs[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. It is also quite alarming that none of the respondents have health insurance, which can further compound the financial constraints in seeking healthcare services. Socio-economic status plays a vital role in health-seeking behavior. Those with low incomes may delay seeking care because of high costs of treatment, consultation fees, transportation, and medication. Education level also impacts health-seeking - those with lower education may have limited knowledge about health issues and the importance of timely medical care. Employment status matters too - the unemployed or those in informal work may lack health insurance or employee medical benefits. About 7 out 10 respondents reported cost of medical care and accessibility of the facility as primary factors influencing individuals' decisions to seek medical care. This highlights the significant financial and geographic barriers to healthcare access.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study by Abdulraheem et al. (2011) in rural Nigeria aligns with the findings of this study on cost of care and distance to facilities being major barriers, as well as the preference for traditional/spiritual healers over modern medicine, as seen in the high use of traditional healers (58.3%) in our data. However, their study found higher rates of health insurance coverage compared to none in our population. Sato's research (2012) in Benin echoes our findings on financial constraints and poor accessibility hindering health-seeking decisions. It also notes the influence of traditional beliefs and limited awareness about modern healthcare, similar to the low perceived value (76.9%) and lack of awareness (74.3%) which was observed in this study. Additionally, it discusses gender norms as a barrier, potentially related to the predominance of female respondents (75.4%) among the respondents of this study. Musah's study (2018) in rural Ghana also aligns with the findings of this study on cost being the primary barrier to accessing healthcare.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, the key challenges we identified - financial barriers, accessibility issues, cultural preferences, lack of insurance, and limited health education/awareness - are consistent with literature from similar contexts in West Africa (Abdulraheem et al., 2011; Sato, 2012; Musah, 2018). However, nuances like reliance on traditional healers may vary across regions or communities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImplications of Findings\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result of our research have significant implications for public health policy, healthcare provision, and health education in Benin Republic. The alarming percentage of respondents who do not seek medical care when feeling unwell (33.4%) and the lack of confidence in medical attention (76.9%) underscore the need and importance for targeted public health policies. These policies should aim at increasing access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, and improve the affordability of healthcare to encourage timely and prompt medical care-seeking behavior.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn terms of healthcare provision, the preference for traditional healers (58.3%) among respondents highlights the importance of integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system. Healthcare providers should be trained to work collaboratively with traditional healers to provide holistic and culturally sensitive care. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services to address the concerns raised by the respondents regarding the cost (69.7%) and accessibility (69.7%) of healthcare[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommendations\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo address the challenges identified in health-seeking behavior among individuals in Benin Republic, it is recommended that the implementation of the following strategies be carried out:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealth Education and Awareness Campaigns: Launch targeted campaigns to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment of diseases. These campaigns should focus on dispelling myths about healthcare, promoting the benefits of seeking timely medical care, and raising awareness of available healthcare services.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImproving Accessibility of Healthcare Services: Implement strategies to improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services, especially in rural areas. This could include increasing the number of healthcare facilities in underserved areas, providing subsidies or incentives for healthcare providers to practice in rural areas, and improving transportation infrastructure to facilitate access to healthcare facilities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor further research, we suggest the following areas to deepen the understanding of health-seeking behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in Benin Republic:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLongitudinal Studies: Conduct longitudinal studies to track changes in health-seeking behavior over time and assess the impact of interventions on healthcare utilization.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQualitative Research:Conduct qualitative research to explore the cultural beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions that influence health-seeking behavior in different communities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvaluation of Interventions: Evaluate the effectiveness of health education campaigns and strategies to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability in improving health outcomes and healthcare utilization rates.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparative Studies: Conduct comparative studies to compare health-seeking behavior and healthcare utilization patterns among different demographic groups and regions in Benin Republic.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese research areas can provide valuable insights into the factors influencing health-seeking behavior and help guide the development of effective policies and interventions to improve healthcare provision in Benin Republic.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStrengths and Limitations of the study\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne strength of the study is the large sample size (350 respondents), which increases the reliability and generalizability of your findings. Additionally, the inclusion of diverse demographic characteristics in your sample, such as age, gender, and educational level, provides a comprehensive understanding of health-seeking behavior in Benin Republic.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, the limitation of the study is the reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias and social desirability bias. Future research could consider using objective measures, such as medical records, to validate self-reported health-seeking behavior. Additionally, the cross-sectional nature of your study limits the ability to establish causal relationships between variables. Longitudinal studies could provide more robust evidence of the factors influencing health-seeking behavior over time.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eEthical approval\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthical Approval was obtained from Esep Le Berger universite Research Ethical Committee in accordance to the institutions recommendation of None clinical trial Research of the Ethical guidlines with ref. Number ESEP/EC/2024/700.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot Applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors Consent to Publication\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors gave their full consent to this publication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Availability of data and material\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data for this study is available on reasonable request from the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Funding\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was funded by the authors\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Acknowledgements\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors wish to acknowledge and duly appreciate the efforts and contributions of everyone involved in making this project a success story.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors know no competing interest for this study.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contribution\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSunday Charles Adeyemo- Study design, Blessing Ele Idris- Data collection, manuscript writing; Akwa Saviour- \u0026nbsp;Data collection, manuscript writing; \u0026nbsp;Eniola Dorcas Oluwafemi - Data analysis; Obehi Are-Daniel - Data analysis; Olagunju Funsho-Data collection and Ethical compliance; Folasade Aremu- Data collection; Sunday Olanrewaju- Supervision; Calistus Akinleye- Supervision; Isreal Abiodun Rabiu- Data collection; James E. Atolagbe- Supervision\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Health Organisation. Sustainable Development Goal Indicators- United Nations Statistic Division. World Bank Group. \u0026quot;Tracking Universal Health Coverage\u0026quot;. April 2020.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfrica Development Bank group, 2023.https://www.afdb.org/en/countries/west-africa/benin\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Health Organization. (2018). Global action plan on physical activity 2018\u0026ndash;2030: more active people for a healthier world.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLatunji OO, Akinyemi OO. Factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria. Ann Ibadan Postgrad Med 2018; 16: 52\u0026ndash;60.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAkeju DO, Oladapo OT, Vidler M, Akinmade AA, Qureshi R, Solarin M, et al. Determinants of health care seeking behaviour during pregnancy in Ogun State, Nigeria. Reprod Health 2016; 13: 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0139-7\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Health Organisation. Economic and social impacts and benefits of health systems. Report by Tammy Boyce and Chris Brown. 2019.Page 3,5. WHO regional office for Europe, Denmark.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Medical care, access, health care, traditional healer","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4237605/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4237605/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eObjective\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealth seeking behavior is a major, fundamental and crucial aspect of healthcare, as it determines how individuals perceive, seek, and utilize healthcare services. Understanding health seeking behavior is essential in promoting health outcomes and preventing diseases of any kind. The study aims to assess health seeking behavior and factors influencing decision to seek medical care among rural dwellers in Cotonou, Portnovo and Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOne hundred and seventeen (33.4%) respondents do not seek medical care when they feel unwell while only 13 (3.7%) seek health care immediately. Majority (269,76.9%) do not think medical attention can help when they are unwell and majority 260 (74.3%) are not aware of the consequences of not seeking medical attention. Majority of the respondents 244 (69.7%) chose cost of medical care and accessibility to the facility as factors that influences their decision to seek medical care.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Health Seeking Behaviour Among Rural Dwellers in Selected Areas in Benin-republic: a Cross Sectional Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-01-23 17:33:35","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4237605/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"9d925f8b-02ae-4700-88a4-ceb15ee0404f","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 23rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-02-27T11:39:05+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-01-23 17:33:35","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-4237605","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-4237605","identity":"rs-4237605","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}