This analysis of determinants of health care seeking is part of a project to impact gonorrhea (GC). As part of this project 71 females have enrolled, to date, in an evaluation of a workshop encouraging regular health care seeking. Females between 14 and 20, living in two high GC morbidity communities, and not receiving comprehensive health care in the prior 6 months were eligible. Participants completed a pre-workshop survey assessing intention and general attitude, norm and self-efficacy for going for a health checkup in the next month and at least once a year, and specific behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and self-efficacy for going in the next month. Uni- and multivariate models, adjusting for workshop-group effects, were used to predict intention. In multivariate analysis predicting intention to go for a health checkup at least once a year there were significant weights (R2=.68; p£.001) for self-efficacy and attitude, but not norm. When predicting intention to go in the next month from the three general constructs, the association was significant only for general self-efficacy. In univariate analyses intention was associated with perceived support from all six referents (i.e., parents, relatives, partner(s)), with the belief that going would cause problems with sex partner, and with self-efficacy to go if they had to make an appointment. Workshops to improve regular health care seeking intentions among female adolescents need to increase self-efficacy and build positive attitudes and norms by helping participants develop skills and view the health care seeking experience as necessary and manageable.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to: 1. Describe the general constructs and specific items associated with intention to seek health care at least once a year. 2. Articulate how workshop-based activities address the identified determinants (i.e., increase self-efficacy to get a health care checkup at least once a year).
Keywords: Adolescents, Health Care Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.