Determinants of Healthcare Utilisation for Foodborne Illness Among Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Overview

Journal Environ Health Insights

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2021 Oct 18

PMID 34658623

Citations 2

Authors

Mohammed Al-Mohaithef

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Understanding of healthcare utilisation during foodborne illness is vital for public health practice, and healthcare planning. Present study aims to identify patterns and determinants of healthcare-seeking behaviour in response to foodborne illness among students of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 252 students of Saudi Electronic University located in four major cities (Riyadh, Abha, Dammam and Jeddah) of Saudi Arabia. Study participants were students who reported a foodborne illness within 1 month prior to the survey. A multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyse association of healthcare-seeking behaviour with knowledge and attitude about food poisoning of participants.

Results: Of the 252 participants who experienced foodborne illness symptoms, 69.8% visited doctor for seeking care, while 7.5% visited pharmacy, 9.1% got treated by the family and peers and 13.4% did not do anything. Healthcare-seeking behaviour of participant showed association with knowledge of the cause of food poisoning (AOR: 1.98; 95% CI 1.04-3.78, = .036); and attitude of participant that food poisoning illnesses is a serious health problem and may lead to death (AOR: 2.15; 95% CI 1.33-2.71, = .014).

Conclusions: In this study, majority of the participants used healthcare for treatment during the food poisoning episode, and healthcare-seeking behaviour depended on perceived severity of the disease consequences. Knowledge on food poisoning was found to be an important determinant in utilisation of healthcare services. Health promotion and educational programmes are recommended to further increase the healthcare utilisation for foodborne illness.

Citing Articles

Validity and Reliability of a Questionnaire on the Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions and Practices toward Food Poisoning among Malaysian Secondary School Students: A Pilot Study.

Ramu P, Osman M, Abdul Mutalib N, Aljaberi M, Lee K, Lin C Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(6).

PMID: 36981510 PMC: 10047946. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060853.

Food Safety Knowledge and Attitudes: A Cross-Sectional Study among Saudi Consumers from Food Trucks Owned by Productive Families.

Alhashim L, Alshahrani N, Alshahrani A, Khalil S, Alrubayii M, Alateeq S Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(7).

PMID: 35410002 PMC: 8998948. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074322.

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