A community-based study on health seeking behaviour among NCD patients in rural and urban Tamil Nadu – A convergent mixed method study

Abstract

This study focusses on the health seeking behaviour of NCD patients which entails regularity of health care facility visitations and adherence to lifestyle modifications. AIMS: To analyse the hospital visitations and lifestyle modifications of NCD patients. To do a comparative study about the health seeking behaviour among NCD patients in Rural and Urban areas. To explore the various difficulties that patients face with regards to Lifestyle modifications. Settings and Design: It is a convergent type mixed-methods design, undertaken in the field practicing areas of RHTCs and UPHCs of Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate. Methods and Material: The data was collected by means of Free listing, Focussed Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and Structured Questionnaires from patients diagnosed with one or more non-communicable diseases. Statistical analysis used: Smith’s S value Manual Content Analysis Bivariate analysis. Results: The health seeking behaviour of NCD patients is influenced by lesser crowding and shorter distance to travel, reduced waiting time, focused attention from and familiarity with the healthcare provider, community health, systematic dispensing of medications and regularised testing. Rural population have a higher positively inclined health seeking behaviour than urban population. Conclusions: The health seeking behaviour of patients with NCDs seem to be on the positive trend and is influenced by the locality of the respondents.

Keywords

• adherence
• focussed group discussions
• free listing
• health seeking behaviour
• key informant interviews
• lifestyle modifications
• mixed method study
• non-communicable diseases
• regularity