Exploring health seeking behaviors for common cold management

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of common cold can impose financial burden on the healthcare systems, despite its simple and self-limiting symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the behavior of patients suffering from symptoms of the common cold and explores the factors that may influence such behaviors. METHODS: A descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019, in Tehran, Iran, using cluster sampling in socioeconomically diverse areas within the city. The participants' behaviors and related factors were evaluated using a 10-item questionnaire. Data collection process involved selecting 5 shopping centers and 404 individuals participated the study. SPSS version 24 was used for analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that 42.1% of the respondents would consult a physician immediately upon experiencing cold symptoms, while 11.4% would consult a pharmacist. In addition, 14.3% would try self-medication, 28.3% relied on traditional home remedies, and 15%indicated not to make use of any remedies or interventions. The study indicated a correlation between people's behaviors concerning the common cold and their level of health self-confidence, knowledge of the common cold, lifestyle, gender, marital status, occupational status, insurance status, and average family spending. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study are significant in that they shed light on the behaviors of individuals and associated factors related to seeking medical assistance for the common cold. This knowledge can assist healthcare systems in developing strategies aimed at enhancing treatment outcomes, and decreasing costs.