International Journal of Medical and Health Research

International Journal of Medical and Health Research


International Journal of Medical and Health Research
International Journal of Medical and Health Research
Vol. 1, Issue 2 (2015)

Disease Pattern and Health Seeking Behaviour of Slum Dwellers in Dhaka City


Mahejabin F, Parveen S, Begum R

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the disease pattern and health seeking behaviour of slum dwellers in some selected slums of Dhaka City. Out of 1029 respondents, 536 (52.1%) were male and 493(47.9%) were female. The mean age of the respondents was 19.50 years (SD ± 17.929). Most 704 (68.41%) of the respondents were employed like domestic work, day labour, rickshaw puller, small business, transport work or helper and butcher. Regarding educational status, 589 (57.3%) were illiterate and 440(42.7%) were literate. The mean family income of the respondents was Tk 7202.43; (SD ± 2969.902). During the preceding 21 days, 511(49.65%) slum dwellers were sick and 518 (50.34%) were not sick at that period. The male slum dwellers 153 (14.9%) were mostly affected by diseases of the respiratory system (Cold /cough /fever /asthma /tonsillitis /pharyngitis) and the female slum dwellers 122 (11.9%) were mostly affected by diseases of the digestive system (Gastric /diarrhoea /fever/ hepatitis/ helminthiasis). Most 921 (89.4%) of the slum dwellers sought health care services during sickness. Majority 476 (46.3%) of the slum dwellers consulted drug sellers of pharmacy during illness. Among rest, 238 (23.1 %) slum dwellers preferred going to the medical college hospital, 162 (15.7 %) respondents preferred going to government hospital and 124 respondents (12.1%) consulted a private practitioner. According to the reasons for not seeking treatment, majority (26%) of the respondents did not seek treatment due to lack of money and 25% respondents were waited for self-recovery. Rest of slum dwellers did not seek treatment due to the distance; services were unknown and waited for self-recovery and lack of money. Only 22% respondents gave multiple answers. Highly significant association was found between the education and monthly family income of the slum dwellers with health seeking behaviour during illness (p=0.002 and p=0.01).
Download  |  Pages : 04-08
How to cite this article:
Mahejabin F, Parveen S, Begum R. Disease Pattern and Health Seeking Behaviour of Slum Dwellers in Dhaka City. International Journal of Medical and Health Research, Volume 1, Issue 2, 2015, Pages 04-08
International Journal of Medical and Health Research