HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOURS OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN SELECTED FACILITIES IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY

Abstract

Health-seeking behaviour is a growing concern worldwide. However, among healthcare providers (HCPs) in resource-limited settings, such as Kenya, poor health-seeking behaviours (HSB) exacerbate the risks for mortality, delayed care, and compromised patient safety. Despite alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3 and Kenya's universal health coverage agenda on preventive care, HCPs often prioritise patient needs over their own well-being. This study sought to explore HSB patterns among HCPs, identify socio-demographic and HSB-related factors, and examine associations between HSB and health perceptions in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed. The study target population was 1483, comprising 1047 nurses, 206 doctors, and 230 clinical officers, drawn from across Levels 3 – 6 facilities. Guided by the Health Belief Model, data were collected through self-administered questionnaires using a multistage sampling approach (n = 323). Analysis used SPSS Version 28, with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multinomial regression. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Scientific Ethics and Research Committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Nearly half (48.47%) of HCPs exhibited good HSB (mean score=9.78), with 42.94% at the average level and 8.59% at the poor level; self-medication was common (55.73%). These scores were based on a structured HSB rating (, where numbers approaching 0 indicindicatedpoor HSB, 1and 2020+ Significant socio-demographic associations included age (χ² = 25.4, p < 0.001), marital status (p = 0.012), health insurance (OR = 4.76, 95% CI = 1.42–15.9, p = 0.011), and religion (p = 0.028). Positive health perceptions were strongly correlated with good HSB (χ² = 20.38, p = 0.0046), facilitated by flexible schedules (M = 2.31) and prompt services (M = 2.32), but hindered by limited preventive screenings (M = 1.93) and gaps in institutional support. These findings underscore the need for tailored interventions to bolster HCP well-being. Recommendations include comprehensive health insurance coverage, policies mandating regular check-ups, self-care education, and stigma-free access to foster resilient healthcare workforces and enhance care quality.