Skip to main content
PMC home page
Injury Prevention logoLink to Injury Prevention
. 1995 Mar;1(1):31–34. doi: 10.1136/ip.1.1.31

Determinants of modern health care use by families after a childhood burn in Ghana.

S N Forjuoh 1, B Guyer 1, D M Strobino 1
PMCID: PMC1067538  PMID: 9345990

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined determinants of modern health care use by families after their child aged 0-5 years sustained a burn injury in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. METHODS: A community based survey of children aged 0-5 years was conducted in 50 enumeration areas in the region. Mothers of all children with scars as evidence of a burn were selected for a follow up interview using a standard questionnaire two to three months later. Determinants of health care use were investigated through a multivariate logistic regression using interview responses from mothers of 617 children for whom report on some treatment was given. RESULTS: Overall, 48% of the burned children were taken to a modern health facility for treatment. Of those taken to a modern health facility, 68% were sent within 24 hours of the burn event. Factors with large adjusted odds ratios for modern health care use included wound infection, burns covering 6% or more of the body surface, and third degree burns. Compared with scalds, children with contact and flame burns were less likely to be taken to a health facility, as were burns to rural children, and those given first aid treatment at home. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that families, particularly rural residents, should be educated about appropriate health care seeking practices after a burn.

Full text

PDF
34

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Bailey W., Phillips D. R. Spatial patterns of use of health services in the Kingston metropolitan area, Jamaica. Soc Sci Med. 1990;30(1):1–12. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(90)90324-l. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Belcher D. W., Wurapa F. K., Neumann A. K., Lourie I. M. A household morbidity survey in rural Africa. Int J Epidemiol. 1976 Jun;5(2):113–120. doi: 10.1093/ije/5.2.113. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Chernichovsky D., Meesook O. A. Utilization of health services in Indonesia. Soc Sci Med. 1986;23(6):611–620. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(86)90155-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Feldman S. The use of private health care providers in rural Bangladesh: a response to Claquin. Soc Sci Med. 1983;17(23):1887–1896. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(83)90166-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Fosu G. B. Access to health care in urban areas of developing societies. J Health Soc Behav. 1989 Dec;30(4):398–411. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Hunte P. A., Sultana F. Health-seeking behavior and the meaning of medications in Balochistan, Pakistan. Soc Sci Med. 1992 Jun;34(12):1385–1397. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(92)90147-i. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Kaona F. A., Siziya S., Mushanga M. The problems of a social survey in epidemiology: an experience from a Zambian rural community. Afr J Med Med Sci. 1990 Sep;19(3):219–224. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Ogoh Alubo S. Power and privileges in medical care: an analysis of medical services in post-colonial Nigeria. Soc Sci Med. 1987;24(5):453–462. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(87)90220-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Shannon G. W., Skinner J. L., Bashshur R. L. Time and distance: the journey for medical care. Int J Health Serv. 1973 Spring;3(2):237–244. doi: 10.2190/FK1K-H8L9-J008-GW65. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Stock R. Distance and the utilization of health facilities in rural Nigeria. Soc Sci Med. 1983;17(9):563–570. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(83)90298-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Injury Prevention are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES