FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF FISHER FOLKS IN PRAMPRAM, GHANA

ABSTRACT The study was carried out in Prampram in the Greater Accra region of Ghana to determine the factors which influence health seeking behaviour of fisher folks. To achieve this, a structured interview guide was used to gather data from 120 fisher folks in a face to face interview. The data collected was grouped and analyzed according to the seven specific objectives of the study and frequencies and percentages used to describe the results. The results revealed that 99% of fisher folks are aware of health resources available to them and resources like clinics, nurses and drug stores are accessible to the majority of the respondents. It was also revealed that 87% of the fisher folks studied consider a factor like the attitude of health personnel whilst 76% consider the gender of health personnel and 76% also consider the costs involved when seeking health. The general conclusion of the study was that fisher folks in Prampram are satisfied with their health seeking endeavours. Among the recommendations made were that healths providing agencies should increase the quantity and quality of health resources in deprived areas, and people living in such communities should be encouraged to register with health insurance schemes.