Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019

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.

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.

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.

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.