Health-seeking behaviour among parents in Kota Bharu Kelantan: a model from lumbar puncture study
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Date
2002
Authors
Mahmood, Maznisah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Health-seeking behaviour is influenced by many factors. A peculiar healthseeking
behaviour seen in this part of the world is high refusal rate towards
lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture is used for diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures i.e. meningitis and leukaemia. However, many parents in Malaysia
are aversed to lumbar puncture, as they believed it can cause harmful effects.
These misconceptions and myths lead to great proportion of parents to refuse
lumbar puncture in Malaysia (Deng et al, 1994 and Ling SG, 2000). Hence there
is a need to look at this issue for further intervention. We believe it is important to
have the appropriate evidence to deal with this issue. Household behaviour
regarding perception on the disease and methods of treatment were looked at in this study.
Our main objective was to look at the health-seeking behaviour and in particular
the basis of refusal for lumbar puncture in this population. In addition, the
misconception and main source of information were also described.
This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted by telephone interviews by
the main author. The telephone numbers were obtained from the Telecom
Department and were subsequently randomized. A total of 390 respondents
were recruited into the study. The duration of study was from January 2001 to
July 2001. Relevant data including level of education, income, basic knowledge
regarding lumbar puncture and meningitis, perceptions, source of information
and history of exposure to lumbar puncture in the immediate family members were obtained.
The refusal rate of lumbar puncture among the Malay ethnic group is high. This
study showed a refusal rate of 42.9o/o. Reasons for refusal were mistaken belief
that lumbar puncture is a dangerous procedure. This was reported by 80.8°/oof
the respondents. Fears of paralysis and fear that the child might die from the
procedure were the most often quoted perceptions.
A higher score of knowledge on LP is significantly associated with a chance of
consent (OR-2.85), while the presence of extended family members is
significantly associated with less likely chance of consent for the procedure (OR-0.44).
Higher scores of knowledge were significantly found in the higher income, higher
level of education and in the group who has a history of lumbar puncture in the family.
The proportion of refusal for lumbar puncture in the population of Kota Bharu is
high (42.9°/o). Despite a number of hospital-based studies there is no communitybased
study done in other places for comparison. Population in Kota Bharu,
Kelantan had a very poor perception about lumbar puncture. Majority of them
obtained their information from friends and relatives.
We recommend to the Ministry of Health that a continuous education with a
wider coverage is important in changing the perception of the society on lumbar
puncture which is then translated into their inappropriate health -seeking
behaviour .The ministry should target all levels of society when they disperse the
knowledge regarding lumbar puncture.
Description
Keywords
Health-seeking behaviour