Abstract
Context: Majority of the Indian population lives in rural area, where the main occupation is agriculture. In developing countries, agriculture workers have multitude of health problems, whereas they do not have access to the adequate health care facilities. Aims: The present study was aimed to know the health-seeking behavior of agricultural workers. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was done from January 2009 to December 2009 in a rural area of Bhutaramanahatti sub-center (Vantamuri PHC), Belgaum District. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 agricultural workers of age 16-60 years were interviewed in their households/fields. Data were acquired on a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Percentages and Chi-square test. Results: Among the study participants 55.75% were males and 44.25% were females, with a male to female ratio of 1.25:1. Most of the agricultural workers (89.5%) were Hindus, 10.5% were Muslims, and 47% were illiterates, whereas 38% had passed first to fifth grades, 14.5% had passed sixth to tenth grades, and 0.5% had attended tenth plus. Of the 400 subjects, 295 (73.75%) belonged to Class V socioeconomic status. Overall, 48.75% opted government doctors and 28% opted private doctors as the first priority health care providers for their illness. 37.75% preferred private or AYUSH practitioners and 18.25% opted government doctors in case illness was not cured or they were not satisfied with the treatment given by the first health care provider. Conclusions: The present study reveals that most of the agricultural workers depended on government doctor for their illness. In order to overcome the situation, special health check-up camps need to be conducted with emphasis on improvement of health.
Highlights
The literature linking health to labor productivity is built on the concepts of household production theory developed by Becker
The present study reveals that most of the agricultural workers depended on government doctor for their illness
Indian agriculture accounts for 25% of total gross domestic product (GDP) on which 75% of country’s population depends on
Summary
The literature linking health to labor productivity is built on the concepts of household production theory developed by Becker. In Becker’s framework, households are treated as producers of “commodities” instead of solely consumers of goods and services. This framework was extended by Grossman to analyze the demand for health. 72% of the Indian community lives in rural area, where their main occupation is agriculture. Indian agriculture accounts for 25% of total gross domestic product (GDP) on which 75% of country’s population depends on. Agricultural workers do not have trade unions and have no access to occupational health services.[2] Occupational health in the agricultural sector is a new concept
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