Health-Seeking Behaviours among Healthcare Providers in Selected Public Health Facilities in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Health-seeking behaviour is a growing concern worldwide. However, among healthcare providers (HCPs) in resource-limited settings, such as Kenya, poor health-seeking behaviours (HSB) exacerbate the risks for mortality, delayed care, and compromised patient safety. Despite alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3 and Kenya's universal health coverage agenda emphasises preventive care, HCPs often prioritise patient needs over their own well-being. This study sought to explore HSB patterns among HCPs, identify socio-demographic factors, facilitators, and barriers influencing HSB, and examine associations between HSB and health perceptions in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative research design was employed. The study target population was 1483, comprising 1047 nurses, 206 doctors, and 230 clinical officers, drawn from across Levels 3–6 facilities. Guided by the Health Belief Model, data were collected through self-administered questionnaires using a multistage sampling approach (n = 322). Analysis used SPSS Version 28, with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multinomial regression. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Scientific Ethics and Research Committee; informed consent was secured from all participants. Nearly half (48.47%) of HCPs exhibited good HSB (mean score=9.78), with 42.94% average and 8.59% poor; self-medication was common (55.73%). These scores were based on a structured HSB rating (from 0-30), where numbers approaching 0 meant poor HSB, those between 10-20 meant average, and those above 20 implied good HSB. Significant socio-demographic associations included age (χ² = 25.4, p < 0.001), marital status (p = 0.012), health insurance (OR = 4.76, 95% CI = 1.42–15.9, p = 0.011), and religion (p = 0.028). Positive health perceptions were strongly correlated with good HSB (χ² = 20.38, p = 0.0046), facilitated by flexible schedules (M = 2.31) and prompt services (M = 2.32), but hindered by limited preventive screenings (M = 1.93) and gaps in institutional support. These findings underscore the need for tailored interventions to bolster HCP well-being. Recommendations include comprehensive health insurance coverage, policies mandating regular check-ups, self-care education, and stigma-free access to foster resilient healthcare workforces and enhance care quality.