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A Narrative Review of Health-Seeking Behaviour in Malaysia: Factors and Emerging Themes

Author

Listed:
  • Dayang Hajyrayati Binti Awg Kassim

    (Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University Malaysia Sarawak)

  • Siti Zaleha Raduan

    (Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)

  • Rasidah Abdul Wahab

    (Corporate & Publication Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)

Abstract

This article provides a critical assessment of research on health-seeking behaviour in Malaysia. As the topic is both medically and anthropologically relevant, this narrative review aims to collate and synthesise anthropological and medical studies conducted in Malaysia on health-seeking behaviour among different populations in the country. The specific goal of this narrative review is to identify the methodology employed in such studies, compile a list of medical conditions for which health-seeking behaviour has been researched, identify health-seeking barriers or determinants across studies, and highlight emerging trends in related research. Multiple databases were used to search for published materials on this topic by Malaysian researchers, such as PubMed, Scopus, and My Jurnal. A total of 39 studies were included in this review. 29 studies utilised quantitative designs, while the remaining studies utilised mixed-method and qualitative designs. Non-communicable diseases were studied more frequently than communicable diseases. The majority of reviewed studies were conducted in Peninsular Malaysia, with very few studies focusing on the populations of Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia. While all of the studies highlight the multidimensional factors that influence health-seeking behaviour in the context of Malaysia, the utilisation of technology for accessing health-related information and COVID-19-related studies has been identified as an emerging trend in the literature on health-seeking behaviour in this country.

Suggested Citation

  • Dayang Hajyrayati Binti Awg Kassim & Siti Zaleha Raduan & Rasidah Abdul Wahab, 2023. "A Narrative Review of Health-Seeking Behaviour in Malaysia: Factors and Emerging Themes," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(7), pages 2109-2124, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:7:y:2023:i:7:p:2109-2124
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pathman Arumugam & Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail & Aziah Daud & Kamarul Imran Musa & Noor Aman A. Hamid & Shaiful Bahari Ismail & Zakiah Mohd Said, 2020. "Treatment-Seeking Behavior Among Male Civil Servants in Northeastern Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Ahmed Abdelmajed Alkhodary & Syed Mohamed Aljunid & Aniza Ismail & Amrizal Muhammad Nur & Suzana Shahar, 2022. "Health Care Utilization and Out-of-Pocket Payments among Elderly with Cognitive Frailty in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Ming Tsuey Lim & Yvonne Mei Fong Lim & Seng Fah Tong & Sheamini Sivasampu, 2019. "Age, sex and primary care setting differences in patients’ perception of community healthcare seeking behaviour towards health services," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Siti Salwana Kamsan & Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh & Maw Pin Tan & Saravana Kumar, 2021. "Healthcare Utilization and Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms among Urban Older Malaysian," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, April.
    5. Fitri Fareez Ramli & Ahmad Nazrun Shuid & Rashidi Mohamed Pakri Mohamed & Tg Mohd Ikhwan Tg Abu Bakar Sidik & Isa Naina Mohamed, 2019. "Health-Seeking Behavior for Erectile Dysfunction in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-9, November.
    6. Kee Chee Cheong & Sumarni Mohd Ghazali & Ahmed Syahmi Syafiq Md Zamri & Yoon Ling Cheong & Nuur Hafizah Md. Iderus & Tharmarajah Nagalingam & Qistina Ruslan & Mohd Azahadi Omar & Ahmad Faudzi Yusoff, 2022. "Gender Differences in Factors Associated with the Total Delay in Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Selangor, Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-15, May.
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