Perception towards Regular Health Check-ups

Abstract

The aim of this case study is to explore the perception of the rural people for regular health check-ups. A survey was conducted in 500 households in a village in Telangana in March 2012 to get an overview about the inhabitants’ health and their willingness to go for regular check-ups. Since majority of the respondents reported not visiting doctors or hospitals regularly, the key determinants for avoidance of such health check-ups was examined. The objective was to discover factors that may be addressed in future when healthcare facilities would be made available to these villages. The major determinants for avoidance of regular health check-ups were estimated through a logit model. The health locus of control index was constructed using five questions related to attitude and perception on regular health check-up. The results indicate that demographic factors like gender and age, economic factors such as family income and family health expenditure, distance, cost of availing a doctor and health locus of control are the key determinants for avoiding regular health check-up in rural India. However, due to increasing awareness among the rural population over the years, majority of the respondents are willing to pay a minimal amount of money and ready to use the electronic device which can monitor their health.