Geographic accessibility of healthcare services and health seeking behaviours of rural communities in Kudat and Pitas areas of Sabah

Naing Oo Tha and Wendy Diana Shoesmith and Tan, Bih Yuan and Mohd Yusof Ibrahim and Syed Shajee Hussein (2020) Geographic accessibility of healthcare services and health seeking behaviours of rural communities in Kudat and Pitas areas of Sabah. Borneo Epidemiology Journal, 1 (1). pp. 46-54.

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Abstract

Introduction: One of the aims outlined in Malaysia’s Health Vision 2020 is to be a nation of healthy individuals, families, and communities through an equitable, affordable, efficient, environmentally adaptable, and consumer friendly healthcare system. Sabah faces tremendous challenges to provide the best care for patients. For example, Sabah's unique geographical location and landscape, such as steep hills and rivers, is one of the challenges that health staff faces. Objectives of this study aimed to examine the prevalence of geographical accessibility, types of healthcare services, and the types of health seeking behaviour in 2 northern rural areas of Sabah to assess the geographic accessibility and availability of healthcare services. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural areas in Sabah—Kudat and Pitas. Data collection was done by using questionnaire and face–to-face interviews. Results: It was found that 48% of the study population sought healthcare and they mainly chose healthcare services from hospitals and health clinics. Conclusion: Half of the population in the areas studied used healthcare in the last year. The choice of using a public hospital or community health clinics was determined by distance from residence.

Item Type: Article
Keyword: geographic accessibility, health seeking behaviour, Sabah, Malaysia
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Department: FACULTY > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Depositing User: SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited: 29 Jul 2020 08:59
Last Modified: 29 Jul 2020 08:59
URI: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/25733

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