Utilization of Health Care Services among the Farmers of Rural Field Practice Area of Department of Community Medicine KIMS, Hubballi: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Farmers suffer from a multitude of problems; from the socio-economic problems to thatrelated to their health. Availability of quality services at the nearest possible areas at the reasonable or nocost results in better utilization of health services.Objectives: To assess the illness behavior among the farmers and to assess the utilization of health care services and to assess the barriers for utilization of health servicesMethodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of KIMS, Hubballi among 324 farmers. House to house survey was conducted using pre designed semistructured piloted questionnaire.Results: Out of 324 farmers, majority were males, Majority of the study participants were small scale farmers. Government hospital was the first priority for 39.5% of the farmers. Majority of the farmers did not complete the course of treatment.. The choice of health care facility was associated with the gender and the distance from the health care facility. Distance (32.4%) to the health care facility was reported as the main barrier for utilization of public health services.Conclusion: The health care preference for public and private is equal among the study participant. There isa significant gender difference in the preference of health care facility. The barriers for the utilization shouldbe addressed to enhance the proper utilization of public health care services.