Major Determinants of Health Seeking Behaviour
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Keywords
Health, Healing, Health-Seeking Behaviour, Religion, Spirituality, Botswana
Abstract
This paper uses document review to explore major determinants of health-seeking behaviour, with the view to establish how health-seekers’ religious beliefs, spirituality and faith influence their health-related decision making. It argues that since religious beliefs have a significant influence upon health-seekers, health providers should be fully aware of this issue. This paper therefore challenges health providers to integrate health seekers’ religious beliefs, faith and spirituality within their profession. In conclusion, this paper appeals to both medical and theological institutions to infuse the interdependence of religion and health into their curricular. Such a provision is capable of creating rapport between health providers and health seekers. This paper is therefore a valuable contribution to the growing literature geared towards the promotion of a holistic health provision, catering for the physical and spiritual needs of health seekers.
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