| dc.description.abstract | The main objective of the study was to assess the factors influencing men’s health-seeking behavior for STIs in the East-Central Region, Uganda. Secondary data was used and drawn from a survey conducted in the East Central Region by USAID’s Strategic Information Technical Support (SITES). The generalized structural equation model was used for the study to analyze both the direct and indirect factors in-addition to descriptive statistics and the logistic regression model. From the results, there were significant direct effects between health seeking behavior and age, level of education, wealth index, marital status, knowledge about STI’s, place of residence and number of sexual partners. It was observed that men who were 25-34 years (OR=1.945, p=0.001) and those who were 35-49 years (OR= 2.121, p=0.001) had twice the odds of seeking health care as compared to those who had 15-24 years. Also, men with secondary level of education (OR=24.531, p=0.000) and those with tertiary level of education (OR=31.317, p=0.000) had more odds of seeking health care as compared to men who had never attended school. Men with multiple sexual partners were found to have increased odds (OR=0.078, p=0.000) of seeking health care as compared to those with a single partner whereas men who had better knowledge about STIs (OR=2.000, p=0.001) had twice the odds of seeking health care as compared to those who had little knowledge. There were also significant indirect effects between health seeking behavior and condom-use through number of sexual partners as well as access to health services through knowledge about STIs. Men who were using condoms were found to have decreased odds (OR=0.314, p=000) of having multiple sexual partners and hence more likely to seek health care. Also, men who had access to health services had increased odds (OR=6.839, p=0.000) of having better knowledge about STI’s and hence increased odds of seeking health care. Wealth index was found to have both direct and indirect effects on health seeking behavior and men who were rich had twice the odds (OR=1.837, p=0.002) of having multiple sexual partners and less likely to seek health care. In conclusion, the Ugandan Ministry of Health should advocate for individual’s health insurance to minimize medical costs. The Ugandan Ministry of Health, HIV/AIDS control programs should institute programs to sensitize men about STIs, its effects and the importance of seeking care. | en_US |
