title: Evolutionary concept analysis of health seeking behavior in nursing: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the research in health seeking behavior has been evolving, its concept remains ambiguous. Concept clarification, as a central basis of developing knowledge, plays an undeniable role in the formation of nursing sciences. As the initial step toward the development of theories and theoretical models, concept analysis is broadly used through which the goals can be used and tested. The aim of this study was to report an analysis of the concept of "health seeking behavior".
  
  
  METHODS
  Employing a rigorous evolutionary concept analysis approach, the concept of health seeking behavior was examined for its implications, use, and significance in the discipline of nursing between 2000 and 2012. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 40 articles and 3 books were selected for the final analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The definition of attributes, antecedents, and consequences of health seeking behavior was performed through concept analysis. Core attributes (interactional, processing, intellectual, active, decision making based and measurable) were studied. The antecedents of concept were categorized as social, cultural, economic, disease pattern and issues related to health services. Health-seeking behavior resulted in health promotion and disease risk reduction. In addition, it led to predicting the future probable burden of the diseases, facilitation of the health status, early diagnosis, complete and effective treatment, and complication control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health-seeking behavior, as a multi-dimensional concept, relies on time and context. An awareness of health-seeking behavior attributes antecedents and consequences results in promoting the status, importance and application of this concept in the nursing profession.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, East Nosratst, TohidSq, 1419733171, Tehran, Iran. spoortaghi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sarieh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poortaghi
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, East Nosratst, TohidSq, 1419733171, Tehran, Iran. a.raiesifar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Afsaneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raiesifar
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, East Nosratst, TohidSq, 1419733171, Tehran, Iran. p.bozorgzad@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bozorgzad
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. dr.golzari@hotmail.com.|Students' Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. dr.golzari@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Samad E J
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Golzari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. s_parvizy@yahoo.com.|Centre for educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. s_parvizy@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Soroor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parvizy
authors.affiliation: Center for Nursing Care Research, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. frafii@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Forough
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rafii
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D003657:Decision Making; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D009626:Terminology as Topic