Philippine E-Journals

Sociological and Economic Dimensions of the Clients’ Choice of Health Care Services

Jofi Valdehueza Mahilum

Discipline: Sociology

 

Abstract:

The descriptive research design used a quota sample of 1,500 respondents. The study revealed that the respondents’ most preferred healthcare services were public community health centers, public hospitals, secondary private hospitals, and collaborative healthcare facilities. The choice of healthcare services was significantly determined by accessibility and availability of healthcare services, family size, beliefs and perceptions about health and illness, joint family monthly income, occupation of household heads, and morbidity occurrence for the last three years. Clients avail of healthcare services that are readily available when needed. Tertiary private hospital is the choice of those who greatly value health and wellness. Low-level hospitals are more preferred by large families with limited budget for healthcare. The disparity in the choice of healthcare services is largely caused by the inequality in the economic indicators specifically on income distribution and occupational categories of the household heads. People with higher income and higher occupational categories prefer healthcare centers with better facilities and services. A high-level healthcare facility is preferred by people who have a high rate of morbidity occurrence. The concern for an extensive prevention of diseases for a better physical wellness motivates people to seek quality healthcare services.