Influences on help-seeking pathways among people with chronic illness and disease in a rural South African community |
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Authors: | Tholene Sodi Takalani Phethi |
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Institution: | Department of Psychology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa |
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Abstract: | The study sought to explore influences on help-seeking pathways followed by patients with chronic illness and disease (CID) in a rural community of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The sample consisted of ten people with CID (female = 6; age range 42 to 96 years; sugar diabetes = 50%, and high blood pressure = 30%). The participants responded to semi-structured interviews pertaining to the influences on their choices for help-seeking pathways. The data were analysed applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Prevailing influences on help-seeking pathways with CID included presumed cause of the illness, diagnosis agent and family process, nature of preferred treatment modality, and openness to alternative and complementary medicine. |
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Keywords: | help-seeking help-seeking pathways chronic diseases |
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