FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG TUBERCULOSIS SUSPECTS IN RURAL AREA: A COMMUNITY BASED STUDY

ABSTRACT Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major cause of death and suffering globally, and remains one of the top four causes of death in Indonesia. Problem of early detection is still arise particularly in rural area. Knowing the risk factors which related to health seeking behavior among TB suspect indeed important to be releaved. Materials and Methods:  This study was cross sectional with 113 samples of TB suspect, which conducted in rural area, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Variables with included in this study were sex, education, economic status, nutrition status and  smoking behavior. Data collection was obtained by questionnaire, and analysed by chi-square to find out correlation with health seeking behavior. Result: Only nutrition status which correlated with health seeking behavior among TB suspect in rural area, Banyumas Regency. While other variables such as education, working status, economic status, smoking behaviour also did not correlate with respondent’s behaviour to seek treatment to health services Conclusion: Results of this study revealed that TB suspect with underweight tend to have more poor health seeking behaviour than people with normal weight. More active case finding and raising public awareness are urgently needed to minimize the spread of TB transmission and also to reduce disease severity. Keywords: Tuberculosis, suspects, health seeking behaviour