Survey Of Illness Behaviour And Its Effects On Access To Health Services Among Rural Dwellers At Ethiope East Local Government Area Of Delta State Nigeria.

This research work guided by three research questions interrogated the nature of illness behaviour amongst rural dwellers in Ethiope East Local Government Area LGA of Delta state Nigeria. A cross sectional survey research design was adopted for the study with a sample size of 200 study participants selected through a combination of cluster and simple random sampling techniques. The questionnaire and in-depth interview guide IDI were the key instruments for data collection while Health Belief Model HBM served as the theoretical framework. Quantitative data generated through questionnaire were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and presented in frequency tables and simple percentages whereas manual content analysis was applied to qualitative data accumulated via interviews. On the other hand two hypotheses formulated for study were tested using chi-square test statistics X2. The study found that the naturepattern of illness behavior among rural dwellers at Ethiope East Local Government was reasonably positive characterized by prompt response and preference of hospital services when ill health occur. It was also found that the prevailing nature of illness behaviour positively stimulates demand and access to available health services in the area. A major factor affecting illness behavior of rural dwellers at Ethiope East LGA was their low income level. Other factors include proximity to health centers cost of health services and literacy level of the people of the area. The researchers recommended that cost of health services be reduced to stimulate further positive illness behavior among the people.