Health care seeking behavior of parents of under five in District Kanga, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThere is growing recognition, in both developed and developing countries, that providing education and knowledge at the individual level is not sufficient in itself to promote a change in behavior. Utilization of the formal system in case of illness is also known as health care seeking behavior and the process involved in achieving a health state has been termed as health seeking behavior. Studies demonstrate that the decision to engage with a particular medical channel is influenced by a variety of socio-economic variables, sex, age, the social status of women, the type of illness, access to services and perceived quality of the service. 1 ABSTRACT Background: Health seeking behavior denotes the process involved in seeking a particular health state. Whereas, the healthcare seeking behavior of any individual denotes the end point contact of care. The objectives of the study were to understand the health seeking behavior and health care seeking behavior of parents of children, 0-5 yrs of age in Himachal Pradesh. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study on 2400 children of age less then and equal to 59 months was conducted. Morbidity profile and socio demographic indicators along with other variables were defined as indicators of health and health care seeking behaviour. The study was conducted using 30 cluster techniques with 80 participants from each cluster of district Kangra. Results: Water and sanitation was taken as one of the indicators of health seeking behavior and majority of our study population was dependent on 'bavdi' as water source. Earthen and steel pots were the most sought after storage vessel. In slums however plastic buckets were used. More than 80% of the households did nothing for purification. Majority responded that (82.6%) their child took bath daily. Institutional delivery was prevalent among 81.2% cases and lowest among rural slum. Nutrition was also taken as an indicator. Exclusive breast feeding was prevalent in 51.1% cases. In case of health care seeking behavior in our study around 47.0% parents visited the health facility, but also 24.0% were dependent on home remedies. Majority (30.5%), took treatment from secondary level of health care followed by 28.4% from private Ayurvedic doctor. Conclusions:The system needs to understand its weaknesses as to why the population still practices unsatisfactory behavior across various areas. Especially in case of institutional deliveries, breast feeding and seeking treatment from a quack.

A comparative study on health seeking behaviour of parents towards their child’s illness in rural and urban field practice area of a medical college

“…10 Majority from urban 87% practiced self-medication (allopathic medicines directly purchased from pharmacy or giving home remedies available at home) when compared to rural parents which was 8% (p<0.001) and in a similar study done by Minhas et al reported 33% in rural and 30% in urban areas. 4 In our study 53% and 1% in urban and rural areas preferred to wait and watch before taking steps to control illness contradict study done by Minhas et al who reported 16.91% and 15.32% in urban and rural areas and another study done by Haresh Chandwani reported 27.9%. 4,11 Interestingly only 1% of urban parents took their children to quacks also known as RMP (rural medical practioner) in Andhra Pradesh when compared to 55% from rural area (p<0.001).…”

“…4 In our study 53% and 1% in urban and rural areas preferred to wait and watch before taking steps to control illness contradict study done by Minhas et al who reported 16.91% and 15.32% in urban and rural areas and another study done by Haresh Chandwani reported 27.9%. 4,11 Interestingly only 1% of urban parents took their children to quacks also known as RMP (rural medical practioner) in Andhra Pradesh when compared to 55% from rural area (p<0.001). In another study done by Mandalik et al found 0.6% from urban area approached quacks and Minhas et al reported 12.9% in rural and 5% in urban areas.…”

“…In another study done by Mandalik et al found 0.6% from urban area approached quacks and Minhas et al reported 12.9% in rural and 5% in urban areas. 4,9 When asked about reasons for visiting quacks 43% of parents from rural areas thought he was qualified to treat (p<0.001) and 16% from urban area answered quacks were less expensive and economic when compared with doctors and 9% from rural and 4% from urban answered that they were easily accessible, approachable and friendly. Finally 12% from urban area utilized the government hospitals while majority of them 88% preferred various private health care providers when compared to rural counterparts who 100% were dependent on various private health care providers and none of them preferred government hospitals and in a study done by Sreeramareddy reported that Two-thirds of the children received treatment for their illnesses from private HCPs which is around 70%.…”

“…to an illness episode by seeking first and foremost help from a trained allopathic doctor, in a formally recognized health care setting 4. …”

The effect of basic medical insurance on the changes of primary care seeking behavior: An application of hierarchical age-period-cohort analysis

“…Primary care was measured using the question “where do you usually go to seek health services when you sick?” with answer options of 1 = “community health service center/township health center,” 2=“community health service station/village clinic,” 3 = “clinic,” 4 = “general hospitals,” and 5 = “specialty hospitals.” Considering whether residents go to primary care facilities is to measure the implementation effects of major measures such as China's deepening reform planning and implementation scheme as of medical and health ( 11 , 12 ). According to national standards, community health service center/township health center/community health service station/village clinic are defined as primary medical facilities.…”