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H E A L T H C A R E D E M A N D V O L U M E III

1. HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR

1.1 AUTONOMY IN DECISION-MAKING

1.1.1 Findings
This section comprised of two question, namely, who decided whether care needed to be
sought and if so, from where and from whom.

The majority of the respondents reported that they themselves made the decision whether
healthcare needed to be sought; 41.3% (95% CI, 40.2 – 42.4), followed by the mother (24.6;
95% CI, 23.8 - 25.5) and the spouse (15.9; 95% CI, 15.1 – 16.7) Table 1.1 and Table 1.2.

The majority of those who decided for themselves were from the age group of 25-29 years
(61.4%; 95% CI, 58.4 - 64.2) while the mother decided mostly for those 19 years and below.

More males determined for themselves (44.5%; 95% CI, 43.1 - 45.9). Among females, 37.8%
(95%; CI, 36.5 - 39.1) responded that they decided to seek for care and 17.7% (95% CI, 16.8
- 18.7) reported that it was their spouse who determined whether healthcare need to be
sought.
It was noted that in those residing in urban areas, the person themselves decided to seek
healthcare (43.5%; 95% CI, 42.1 - 44.8) while in those in the rural areas, decision by self was
lower (34.7%; 95% CI, 33.0 – 36.4) while other decision makers were the mother (27.2%;
95% CI, 25.7 - 28.7), and spouse (17.7%; 95% CI, 16.5 – 19.0).

Majority of those with tertiary education level (64.5%; 95% CI, 62.1 – 66.8) reported that
they decided for themselves.

1.1.2 Implication
Commonest decision maker were themselves in NHMS 2015, with similar pattern and
proportion as compared to 2011 and slight increment of 0.6% from that of 2011. In
comparison, the research finding found there there were no significant changes in whether
care need to be sought. Mother as the decision maker was reported at the second place for
NHMS 2011 ; 22.0% and NHMS 2015 ; 24.6%. As for spouse, it continued to maintain its
position in at third place.

1.1.3 Conclusion
The findings showed that the majority of the respondents independently decided the need
for care. Therefore, an added advantage would be to equip themselves with sufficient
health-related knowledge in helping them make better decisions.

1.1.4 Recommendation
Provide more appropriate and interactive platforms to gain health-related knowledge in
order to empower individuals who are now slightly more inclined towards self-decision on
own healthcare needs.

NATIONAL HEALTH AND MORBIDITY SURVEY 2015 17 MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA