Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019
Abstract Background Health-seeking behaviour involves actions taken by individuals who feel unwell to seek remedies and varies based on cognitive and non-cognitive factors like sex, age, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare. Gender roles significantly impact health outcomes with the COVID-...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13020-0 |
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| author | Devi Shantini Rata Mohan Suhana Jawahir Adilius Manual Nur Elina Abdul Mutalib Sarah Nurain Mohd Noh Iqbal Ab Rahim Jabrullah Ab Hamid Awatef Amer Nordin |
| author_facet | Devi Shantini Rata Mohan Suhana Jawahir Adilius Manual Nur Elina Abdul Mutalib Sarah Nurain Mohd Noh Iqbal Ab Rahim Jabrullah Ab Hamid Awatef Amer Nordin |
| author_sort | Devi Shantini Rata Mohan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Health-seeking behaviour involves actions taken by individuals who feel unwell to seek remedies and varies based on cognitive and non-cognitive factors like sex, age, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare. Gender roles significantly impact health outcomes with the COVID-19 pandemic further accentuating the gender disparity in public health compliance. Using secondary data from a national health survey, this article aims to assess the gender-based characteristics and factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among the population in Malaysia. Methods This study was a secondary data analysis of the NHMS 2019, a cross-sectional national health survey using Andersen’s Behavioural Model. It evaluated factors influencing self-medication and treatment-seeking based on socio-demographics, enabling conditions, and perceived health needs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were conducted to identify factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among men and women. Results This study analysed the health-seeking behaviours of 10,933 Malaysian adults, representing 19.7 million people. The overall prevalence of sickness was 16.1% (95% CI = 14.8–17.4), with higher rates in women (18.1%; 95% CI = 95% CI = 16.3–19.9). Among those who were sick, 56.4% (95% CI = 52.9–60.0) sought professional treatment while 23.0% (95% CI = 19.8–26.2) self-medicated. Regression analysis showed that urban women and those rating their health poorly were more likely to seek professional care, while Chinese, those with no formal education, and retiree women were more likely to self-medicate. Among males, those with long-term condition are more likely to seek treatment while students were less likely to self-medicate compared to private employees. Conclusion The study reveals significant gender and sociodemographic disparities in health-seeking behaviour amongst Malaysian men and women. The factors that influence these health-seeking behaviour is unique for each gender. This emphasises the importance of targeted interventions which are gender-sensitive to address structural inequities and achieve equitable healthcare utilisation across all demographic groups in Malaysia. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5e8692dd3d904d2fa88bd78df32981c1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-5e8692dd3d904d2fa88bd78df32981c12025-08-20T03:37:20ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-07-0125111310.1186/s12913-025-13020-0Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019Devi Shantini Rata Mohan0Suhana Jawahir1Adilius Manual2Nur Elina Abdul Mutalib3Sarah Nurain Mohd Noh4Iqbal Ab Rahim5Jabrullah Ab Hamid6Awatef Amer Nordin7Centre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchCentre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchCentre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchCentre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchCentre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchCentre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchCentre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchCentre for Health Equity Research, Institute for Health Systems ResearchAbstract Background Health-seeking behaviour involves actions taken by individuals who feel unwell to seek remedies and varies based on cognitive and non-cognitive factors like sex, age, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare. Gender roles significantly impact health outcomes with the COVID-19 pandemic further accentuating the gender disparity in public health compliance. Using secondary data from a national health survey, this article aims to assess the gender-based characteristics and factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among the population in Malaysia. Methods This study was a secondary data analysis of the NHMS 2019, a cross-sectional national health survey using Andersen’s Behavioural Model. It evaluated factors influencing self-medication and treatment-seeking based on socio-demographics, enabling conditions, and perceived health needs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were conducted to identify factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among men and women. Results This study analysed the health-seeking behaviours of 10,933 Malaysian adults, representing 19.7 million people. The overall prevalence of sickness was 16.1% (95% CI = 14.8–17.4), with higher rates in women (18.1%; 95% CI = 95% CI = 16.3–19.9). Among those who were sick, 56.4% (95% CI = 52.9–60.0) sought professional treatment while 23.0% (95% CI = 19.8–26.2) self-medicated. Regression analysis showed that urban women and those rating their health poorly were more likely to seek professional care, while Chinese, those with no formal education, and retiree women were more likely to self-medicate. Among males, those with long-term condition are more likely to seek treatment while students were less likely to self-medicate compared to private employees. Conclusion The study reveals significant gender and sociodemographic disparities in health-seeking behaviour amongst Malaysian men and women. The factors that influence these health-seeking behaviour is unique for each gender. This emphasises the importance of targeted interventions which are gender-sensitive to address structural inequities and achieve equitable healthcare utilisation across all demographic groups in Malaysia.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13020-0Health-seeking behaviourGenderEquityMalaysia |
| spellingShingle | Devi Shantini Rata Mohan Suhana Jawahir Adilius Manual Nur Elina Abdul Mutalib Sarah Nurain Mohd Noh Iqbal Ab Rahim Jabrullah Ab Hamid Awatef Amer Nordin Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 BMC Health Services Research Health-seeking behaviour Gender Equity Malaysia |
| title | Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 |
| title_full | Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 |
| title_fullStr | Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 |
| title_short | Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 |
| title_sort | gender differences in health seeking behaviour insights from the national health and morbidity survey 2019 |
| topic | Health-seeking behaviour Gender Equity Malaysia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13020-0 |
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