HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG MALAYSIANS WITH ACUTE DIARRHEAL DISEASE

• Published in: Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 424 - 435
• Main Authors: TEE, G. H, KAUR, G, RAMANATHAN, P, AMAL, N. M, CHINNA, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangkok SEAMO, Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network 01-03-2011; Central Coordinating Board, SEAMEO-TROPMED Project
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diarrhea - psychology; Ethnic Groups; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; Humans; Infant; Interviews as Topic; Malaysia; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - psychology; Self Medication; Severity of Illness Index; Socioeconomic Factors; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Time Factors; Young Adult; Asia; Malaysia; Diarrhea; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Tropical medicine; Behavior; Acute
• ISSN: 0125-1562

About 1.8 million people die annually from acute diarrheal disease globally. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted via face-to-face interview with eligible subjects to determine the incidence and health seeking behavior of Malaysians with acute diarrheal disease (ADD). An acute diarrheal episode was defined as having three or more loose stools in any 24 hour period during the four weeks period prior to the interview. The exclusion criteria included pre-existing chronic diarrhea, such as with cancer of the bowel, ulcerative colitis or Chrohn's disease. Forty three point three percent of those with ADD (95% CI 41.3-45.4) sought treatment for the illness. Younger age groups (0-4 years, 67.7%; 95% CI 61.5-73.4; 5-9 years, 56.5%; 95% CI 48.6-64.1) were more likely to seek care for ADD. Seventy-one point eight percent of those seeking treatment, (95% CI 69.0-74.4) did so within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms. Most people with ADD sought treatment at private clinics. The main reasons given for not seeking treatment were the illness was mild and did not warrant treatment and the practice of self-medication (22.4%; 95% CI 20.0-24.9). These findings show self-medication is a major health seeking behavior among Malaysians with ADD. Self-medication of ADD deserves more in-depth study to ensure it is safe.