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In resource-limited countries, older people who are at risk and face numerous health problems, often receive insufficient attention regarding their healthcare-seeking behavior. Assessing the proportion of healthcare-seeking behavior and associated factors among older people in Motta town, was the aim of the study. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from April 22 to May 22, 2023. The study subjects were chosen using a systematic random sampling technique. To identify candidate variables for multivariable analysis, a bivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Variables having a P-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. From the total, 161 (39.3%) of respondents had good healthcare-seeking behavior with 95% CI 35%, 44%. Secondary school AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.27, 5.68, Education college and above AOR = 4.6, 95% CI = 2.27, 9.33, Family support during their illness AOR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.05, 3.09, Members of CBHI AOR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.21, 3.36, and presence of chronic illness AOR = 2.55, 95%, CI = 1.64, 3.97 were significantly associated with good healthcare-seeking behavior. This study found that good healthcare-seeking behavior among older people is significantly associated with higher education, strong family support, Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) membership, and chronic illnesses. Improving health literacy through education, strengthening family support systems, expanding CBHI participation for better healthcare access, and developing targeted chronic disease management programs to enhance this behavior is recommended. These strategies can collectively improve healthcare utilization and outcomes for older people.
Hamid et al. (Fri,) studied this question.