Barriers in health care access and health seeking behaviour among women in a rural area, Telangana – A Community based Cross Sectional study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Health is influenced by an array of factors including social, environmental, genetic and a host of other factors. Health seeking behavior is aterm which is used to explain the pattern of health care utilization among any population group and the sequence of remedial actions that individuals take in order to rectify perceived ill health. Health seeking behaviour of an individual is strongly influenced by socio-culturalbeliefs and practices. Gender plays a very important role in influencing the health seeking behaviours. In rural areas of our country accessibility is a huge problem and a major determinant for care seeking. Objectives: To study the socio demographic profile of women in a selected rural area To determine the association between health seeking behaviour and socio demographic factors To identify various barriers in accessing health care services Methods: A community based, cross sectional study was conducted among 360 adult population in rural field practice area of MallaReddyMedical College for Women. A pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire used to assess the health seeking behaviour among study population after obtaining the consent. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Among study population, 21% of subjects seek medical care as soon as symptoms appear. Only 22% of participants were aware ofexisting government health schemes. . Nearly 45% of women reported needing permission from senior family members before visiting adoctor. Factors like literacy status and socio economic status were associated with the health seeking behaviour of women in rural areas. Conclusion: In Indian societies women are often characterized as special subgroup population and discriminated. This social discrimination is resulting in a narrow access to the health system. Availability is one of the major determinants of health seeking behaviour. Further a health care system must be accessible also.
Authors: M Sravanthi, Christina Karthaka, Y Padmavathi
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7215367967