Factors influencing timing of seeking health care among patients with sexually transmitted diseases in Kampala, Uganda.
OBJECTIVE
To identify predictors for timing of seeking health care among patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).


METHODS
A cross sectional study at the old Mulago hospital STD clinic in Kampala the capital city of Uganda.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 138 patients with STDs were interviewed on social-demographic, STD symptoms, health seeking behaviour, condom use, sexual behaviour, and knowledge about STDs.


METHODS
Early seekers (who sought care before 14 days) and late seekers (who sought care > or = 14 days of symptoms) were compared on the above variables using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
On multivariate analysis, only two variables, having sex at least once during the period with symptoms (OR 7.27; 95% CI 3.02 to 17.51) and not having sex with a casual partner in the last three months (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.14 to 9.09) predicted late seeking of health care.


CONCLUSIONS
Having sex at least once while symptomatic is a strong predictor of delay in seeking care and may be related to severity of symptoms. There is need to strengthen health education messages about the importance of seeking care immediately no matter how minor the symptoms. More research is needed to identify predictors for having sex while symptomatic.
Nuwaha
F
F
Department of Community Health, Mbarara University, Uganda. must@healthnet.or.ug
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014454:Uganda