Health seeking behaviors and their determinants among adult patients attending health facilities in Ifakara Tanzania

Abstract

Health seeking behaviour is a key determinant of health outcomes and health system performance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite Tanzania’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), timely and appropriate use of formal healthcare services remains suboptimal. This study assessed patterns and determinants of health seeking behaviour among adults attending health facilities in Ifakara, Tanzania. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 adult patients attending St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital and Kibaoni Health Center. Data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with good health seeking behaviour. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Overall, 39.7% of participants demonstrated good health seeking behaviour. The mean age of participants was 44.7 years, and 68.3% were female. In multivariable analysis, participants aged 60 years and above had higher odds of good health seeking behaviour compared with those aged 18–29 years (AOR = 7.61; 95% CI: 2.24–25.84). Participants in the middle, richer, and richest wealth quintiles were more likely to exhibit good health seeking behaviour than those in the poorest wealth quintile. Conversely, participants residing more than 5 km from a health facility had lower odds of good health seeking behaviour (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.74). Participants reporting mild and moderate illness severity in the past two months also had lower odds of good health seeking behaviour. Health seeking behaviour in Ifakara remains suboptimal and socially patterned. Addressing socioeconomic inequalities, improving geographic accessibility, and strengthening primary healthcare services are critical to advancing equitable access and achieving UHC under SDG 3.