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Table 3 Preferred health care provider and reasons for visit ( in per cent)

From: Differences in health care seeking behaviour between rural and urban communities in South Africa

 

Urban

Rural

Preferred health care provider

N = 125

N = 81

· Private medical doctor

50.4

14.8

· Health clinic

31.2

71.8

· Traditional healer

5.6

9.9

· No (clear) preference

12.8

3.5

Reasons to visit a private medical doctor

N = 120

N = 52

· When a person is sick/ill or not feeling well1

48.8

71.5

· When a person is very sick/ill or not feeling well at all

21.5

7.6

· When a person has pain

7.0

1.2

· When health clinic or self-medication did not improve the condition

9.3

5.8

· When I have enough money

1.7

0.6

Reasons to visit a health clinic

N = 122

N = 77

· When a person is sick/ill or not feeling well*

48.4

68.8

· When a person is very sick/ill or not feeling well at all

7.4

7.8

· When a person has pain

4.9

16.9

· To fetch monthly treatment

32.8

10.4

· No money (e.g. for a private doctor)

10.7

7.8

Reasons to visit a traditional healer

N = 40

N = 25

· When Western science does not improve the condition†

32.5

16.0

· When I have problems/issues in the social part of my life

37.5

32.0

· When I have physical problems

22.5

28.0

· When I suspect witchcraft

2.5

16.0

  1. * Included ‘When a person is very sick/ill or not feeling well at all.
  2. † Western science: medical doctor, health clinic and/or regular treatment.