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Delay in health‐seeking behaviour: Implication to yellow fever outcome in the 2019 outbreak in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Umoke Prince C. I.,
Umoke MaryJoy,
Eyo Nora,
Ugwu MBBS Adaeze,
Okeke Emmanuel,
Nwalieji Chioma A.,
Agbaje Samson O.,
Onwe Rosemary N.,
Ekeh David O.,
Umoke Ugochi G.,
Agu Martins N.,
Okide Charity C.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.13329
Subject(s) - medicine , outbreak , residence , yellow fever vaccine , environmental health , psychological intervention , health facility , public health , rural area , health promotion , disease , health care , demography , yellow fever , population , immunology , psychiatry , health services , virology , nursing , virus , pathology , sociology , economic growth , economics
Yellow fever is a vaccine‐preventable acute viral disease that can rapidly spread and cause serious public health impact. Delay in seeking health care from health facilities is a potential risk of prolonged disease spread. Therefore, this study assessed the delay in health‐seeking behaviour and implications for yellow fever outcomes in the 2019 outbreak in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study examined the factors associated with delayed yellow fever vaccine uptake. A retrospective study was conducted from January to December 2019 using 137 cases recorded in the WHO database. The data were analysed using descriptive (frequency and percentages) and the Chi‐square test. The results were significant at p < 0.05. Results showed a low uptake of yellow fever vaccine (24.1%) among patients and a median total health‐seeking delay of 7 [IQR 7, 9] days. The delay was more among the older age ≥40 years (12 [IQR 12, 29]), females (8 [IQR 8, 11], and rural inhabitants 7 [IQR7, 9], particularly in Izzi LGA (9 [IQR 9, 16] than the other subgroups. Patients' location or place of residence was significantly associated with the yellow fever vaccine uptake ( p < 0.000*), and delay ( p = 0.003*). Conclusively, the low vaccine uptake was due to the delay in health‐seeking behaviour. Thus, the healthcare system in Nigeria needs to intensify mass participation in immunisation programmes. Interventions that promote behavioural change towards immunisation are required. Also, health promotion campaigns to educate rural people on desirable health‐seeking behaviour are needed.