Determinants of Patients' Choice of Medical Treatment Options among Residents(urban, rural-urban & rural communities) in Imo State, Nigeria)

Authors

  • Ajaraogu J Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri
  • Obasi OO Department of Social Sciences, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v24i2.796

Keywords:

Choice, medical treatment option, rural, rural-urban, urban, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The choice of a medical treatment option in the event of illness, can make a difference between life and death. This study explored the determinants of choice of medical treatment options in rural, rural-urban and urban residents in Imo State.

Method: This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical survey employed multistage sampling technique in its design. Questionnaire and interview were adopted for data collection and multinomial logistic regression was used in analyzing the data.

Result: Gender and educational qualification significantly influenced choice of medical treatment options. Other identified determinants of choice of medical treatment options were relative efficiency, easy accessibility, affordability etc. An intriguing result was that native treatment option was the modal choice with regard to fracture only; while modern treatment option was the modal choice in majority of the ailments studied. Also revealed in the study, was that native and spiritual healing options enjoyed more patronage than modern treatment option in the rural area.

Conclusion: This study considered 28 ailments out of which majority were chosen by the respondents under modern treatment option. Intriguingly, native treatment option was chosen by majority of the respondents in the case of fracture only. Also, the study revealed that the three treatment options were in use across the three residential locations under study; although spiritual and native treatment options were more prevalent in the rural communities.

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Published

2024-06-10

How to Cite

Ajaraogu, J., & Obasi, O. O. (2024). Determinants of Patients’ Choice of Medical Treatment Options among Residents(urban, rural-urban & rural communities) in Imo State, Nigeria). The Nigerian Health Journal, 24(2), 1204 – 1210. https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v24i2.796
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