A Cross-sectional Study to Assess the Barriers to Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour among Undergraduate Students in a Medical College, Bengaluru

Abstract

Background Medical students experience high levels of stress and psychological morbidities compared to students pursuing other professional courses. Hence having a clear understanding of studentsrsquo perceptions and self-reported barriers to health care seeking is essential to address the unmet needs.Objective To estimate the barriers in seeking help from health care services by undergraduate students and to compare physical and mental health seeking behaviours.Method The present study was conducted among 147 undergraduate medical students at a Government Medical College Bengaluru. Sample size for each professional year was calculated by probability proportion to size and was estimated to be 40 36 35 36. In each professional year the students required for the study were included by simple random sampling using computer-generated numbers. Data were collected through a pre-tested semi-structured validated questionnaire via online interview. The data collected were entered in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS 20.0.Results Out of the 147 respondents 63 were males and 37 were females. Fear of unwanted intervention cost and side effects were the most common barriers. Mean SD mental health care barrier and physical health care barrier subscale scores were 31.91plusmn5.3 and 31.60plusmn4.8 respectively.Conclusion The present study showed that there are different barriers to health care seeking among the medical undergraduate students.