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Facilitators and Barriers to Health Seeking among People Who Use Drugs in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana: An Exploratory Study.
- Source :
- BioMed Research International; 8/23/2021, p1-11, 11p
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Drug use is one of the global public health issues, and its accompanying disorders have consequences on people's mental, physical, and environmental health. Nevertheless, the majority of people who use drugs have never been treated for drug dependence and other health conditions whilst others discontinue their treatment for drug use disorder. Using the health belief model, the study aimed at exploring facilitators and barriers to health-seeking among people who use drugs in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. A descriptive study design was used, employing a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 22 participants, including two key informants (male and female). The first group of participants was recruited from the ghetto (an area in the municipality where people who use drugs are usually located). The other group of participants was recruited using hospital-based records. The interview data were transcribed, coded, and analysed for the generation of themes with the aid of Nvivo version 12 pro. The results showed that people who use drugs face health challenges such as drug dependence, malaria, lungs and breathing complications, cardiovascular complications, and skin complications. People who use drugs experienced poor perceived quality of life and low health status. Health-seeking behaviours of interviewees were influenced by the perceived benefit, perceived severity, cues to action, among others. Multiple sources of healthcare were used by the people who use drugs. Whereas ease of communication, perceived severity, benefit, among others were facilitators to their health-seeking behaviours, cost, dwindling social support, lack of knowledge of the condition, and fear of arrest by law enforcement agencies also served as barriers to seeking healthcare at the orthodox health facilities. This paper suggests a holistic approach to help improve the health and health-seeking behaviours of people who use drugs. The researchers wish to indicate that an earlier version of this manuscript has been presented at the University of Ghana as a thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- SUBSTANCE abuse treatment
SUBSTANCE abuse & psychology
HEALTH Belief Model
RESEARCH
DRUG addiction
RESPIRATORY diseases
SKIN diseases
HEALTH services accessibility
SOCIAL support
CORRECTIONAL institutions
RESEARCH methodology
PSYCHOLOGY of drug abusers
LUNG diseases
HELP-seeking behavior
INTERVIEWING
CARDIOVASCULAR diseases
HEALTH status indicators
MEDICAL care costs
FEAR
QUALITATIVE research
MALARIA
MEDICAL care use
ATTITUDES toward illness
SEVERITY of illness index
HEALTH literacy
HEALTH behavior
QUALITY of life
COMMUNICATION
HEALTH attitudes
THEMATIC analysis
DATA analysis software
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 23146133
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BioMed Research International
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 152040468
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2868953