What are the demographic predictors and barriers to self-care engagement in the UK? A cross-sectional survey study
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
El-Osta, Austen
Altalib, Sami
Al Ammouri, Mahmoud
Smith, Peter
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Understanding how people manage everyday health challenges is vital for developing self-care policies that are inclusive, equitable and effective. Little is known about how demographic characteristics shape self-care confidence, symptom management strategies and health-seeking behaviours across the UK adult population. While the companion paper from the same survey examined healthcare professionals' attitudes
toward self-care and the professional-public interface, the demographic predictors and personal barriers shaping self-care engagement among the general UK public remain poorly understood.
Objective
To examine the demographic predictors of self-care engagement among UK adults, focusing on self-care confidence, health information-seeking behaviours, symptom management strategies and perceived barriers to self-care.
Design
Cross-sectional online survey conducted from June to September 2024.
Setting
Community-dwelling adults across the United Kingdom, recruited via online platforms and professional networks.
Participants
3,255 UK adults including a subset of health and care professionals.
Interventions
None (observational study).
Primary and secondary outcome measures
Self-reported self-care confidence, health information-seeking behaviours, symptom management strategies, and barriers to self-care.
Results
Regression analyses highlighted marked demographic disparities in self-care engagement. Older adults (65+) were significantly more confident in their self-care
knowledge (aOR=3.22, CI: 2.06-5.03, p<0.001) and healthy lifestyle behaviours (aOR=2.96), yet were also more likely to seek health information. Males reported lower self-care confidence than females (aOR=0.79, CI: 0.68-0.91, p=0.002). Black British participants
were more confident in self-care knowledge (aOR=1.99, CI: 1.39-2.84, p<0.001), but along with Asian British individuals, were significantly less likely to seek
health information (aORs=0.56 and 0.70, respectively). People living with disabilities (aOR=0.69) and long-term conditions (aOR=0.76) reported lower confidence across selfcare domains. HCPs consistently reported higher self-care confidence (aOR=1.51, p=0.006) and health behaviour engagement (aOR=1.66). Financial constraints (53%), lack of time (47%) and low self-efficacy (22%) emerged as key barriers to self-care, alongside low use of pharmacists (1.3%) and digital resources (9.7%).
Conclusion
This study highlights demographic disparities in self-care confidence, information-seeking behaviours and barriers to engagement, urging the need for tailored self-care
interventions. Future research should focus on targeted interventions to improve health literacy, enhance pharmacist-led self-care support and promote equitable access to digital health resources, particularly for underserved and demographically diverse population groups.
Understanding how people manage everyday health challenges is vital for developing self-care policies that are inclusive, equitable and effective. Little is known about how demographic characteristics shape self-care confidence, symptom management strategies and health-seeking behaviours across the UK adult population. While the companion paper from the same survey examined healthcare professionals' attitudes
toward self-care and the professional-public interface, the demographic predictors and personal barriers shaping self-care engagement among the general UK public remain poorly understood.
Objective
To examine the demographic predictors of self-care engagement among UK adults, focusing on self-care confidence, health information-seeking behaviours, symptom management strategies and perceived barriers to self-care.
Design
Cross-sectional online survey conducted from June to September 2024.
Setting
Community-dwelling adults across the United Kingdom, recruited via online platforms and professional networks.
Participants
3,255 UK adults including a subset of health and care professionals.
Interventions
None (observational study).
Primary and secondary outcome measures
Self-reported self-care confidence, health information-seeking behaviours, symptom management strategies, and barriers to self-care.
Results
Regression analyses highlighted marked demographic disparities in self-care engagement. Older adults (65+) were significantly more confident in their self-care
knowledge (aOR=3.22, CI: 2.06-5.03, p<0.001) and healthy lifestyle behaviours (aOR=2.96), yet were also more likely to seek health information. Males reported lower self-care confidence than females (aOR=0.79, CI: 0.68-0.91, p=0.002). Black British participants
were more confident in self-care knowledge (aOR=1.99, CI: 1.39-2.84, p<0.001), but along with Asian British individuals, were significantly less likely to seek
health information (aORs=0.56 and 0.70, respectively). People living with disabilities (aOR=0.69) and long-term conditions (aOR=0.76) reported lower confidence across selfcare domains. HCPs consistently reported higher self-care confidence (aOR=1.51, p=0.006) and health behaviour engagement (aOR=1.66). Financial constraints (53%), lack of time (47%) and low self-efficacy (22%) emerged as key barriers to self-care, alongside low use of pharmacists (1.3%) and digital resources (9.7%).
Conclusion
This study highlights demographic disparities in self-care confidence, information-seeking behaviours and barriers to engagement, urging the need for tailored self-care
interventions. Future research should focus on targeted interventions to improve health literacy, enhance pharmacist-led self-care support and promote equitable access to digital health resources, particularly for underserved and demographically diverse population groups.
Date Acceptance
2026-09-02
Citation
BMJ Open
ISSN
2044-6055
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Open
Copyright Statement
Copyright This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the Version of Record (VoR) will be available on immediate open access.
License URL
Publication Status
Accepted