Health-seeking behaviors during an outbreak of acute conjunctivitis in Central India
Purpose: To report the health-seeking behaviors of individuals with acute viral conjunctivitis during an outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh after an outbreak of acute conjunctivitis in July–August 2023. Results: The treatment choices we...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Indian Journal of Ophthalmology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/IJO.IJO_849_24 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Purpose:
To report the health-seeking behaviors of individuals with acute viral conjunctivitis during an outbreak.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh after an outbreak of acute conjunctivitis in July–August 2023.
Results:
The treatment choices were pharmacies (51.4%), ophthalmologists (21.1%), quacks (non-qualified doctors) (6.8%), general practitioners (1.6%), home remedies (5.2%), and no treatment (13.9%). Treatment preferences were influenced by place of residence (P < 0.001), occupation (P = 0.002), socioeconomic category (P < 0.001), and highest level of education of male (P < 0.001) and female (P < 0.001) members within the household. The overall expenditure was higher when patients sought treatment from quacks (INR 427.27 ± 202.21), followed by ophthalmologists (INR 374.57 ± 251.31) and pharmacies (INR 201.39 ± 102.65) (P < 0.001). Individuals aged 21–40 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.05–1.03, P = 0.055) and those from villages (OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.07–0.32, P < 0.001) were less likely to use prophylaxis. Individuals from families with high level of education of male members (OR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.08–7.20, P = 0.039) or large family sizes (OR: 6.27, 95% CI: 2.42–19.09, P = 0.039) were more likely to use prophylaxis. The use of separate items of daily use reduced the risk of spread of conjunctivitis (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.06–0.35, P = 0.035).
Conclusion:
Several insights into health-seeking behaviors among individuals with conjunctivitis during an outbreak were identified in this study, which can aid public health interventions during future outbreaks. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0301-4738 1998-3689 |