Background: Oral health is indeed a vital component of overall health. However, when it comes to seeking professional oral healthcare, numerous factors influence individualsâ perspectives and decisions. These factors encompass various aspects such as psychosocial factors, material circumstances, cultural influences, and behavioural patterns, all intertwined with the perceived need for treatment. While professional considerations for oral care management are essential, it is equally important to consider patientsâ viewpoints and their understanding of oral care provision. Aim: To identify the factors that influence help-seeking practices among Libyan patients experiencing common oral health problems (COHP). The perspectives of both patients and clinicians were considered to provide recommendations for stakeholders in oral healthcare service provision and utilisation. Methods: In this research, a cross-sectional qualitative design was employed to investigate the factors influencing help-seeking practices among Libyan patients with common oral health problems (COHP). This approach encompassed two interrelated and complementary sets of interviews. The first set involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 Libyan patients residing in Janzour City, Libya, who had encountered COHP. The second set mirrored the first, comprising interviews with ten Libyan dentists practising in the same city. Thematic analysis was conducted to systematically examine the qualitative data, unveiling recurring patterns and themes within the collected information. This dual-perspective approach was crucial in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing patient help-seeking practices. Findings: From patient interviews, four key themes emerged: Patient-related factors, Societal factors, Access-related factors, and the Patient-Dentist Relationship. Complementing this, dentist interviews revealed three distinct themes: Professionalism, Communication with Patients, and Support for Oral Health Behaviour. These findings were then synthesised, offering a holistic understanding of factors influencing oral health care help-seeking practices.. Following synthesis, the results were explored alongside the modified Theory of Health Care Access, resulting in the creation of a patient journey through oral healthcare, connecting patient and clinician perspectives. This integrated approach enables the identification of potential practice changes aimed at enhancing patient oral healthcare. Conclusion: The research illuminates the complexity of factors influencing the seeking of professional oral health help in Libya. It underscores the substantial challenges associated with improving oral healthcare services in the region. Achieving effective solutions necessitates the careful crafting of policies to ensure universal access to oral healthcare. Addressing the gap between awareness and practical utilisation of these services is a critical imperative. Adopting a task-shifting strategy and promoting interprofessional collaboration emerges as promising and essential approaches. These strategies have the potential to yield broader health improvements by comprehensively addressing the multifaceted factors influencing oral health care help-seeking practices. However, it is crucial to emphasise the pivotal role of additional government support to successfully facilitate these strategies' implementation and ensure their enduring sustainability.
FACTORS AFFECTING HELP-SEEKING FOR COMMON ORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN LIBYA
Elhaji, A. (Author). 1 Aug 2024
Student thesis: Phd