Health Care Seeking Behavior: Factors for the Utilization of Indigenous Medical Treatment in District Sheikhupura

Abstract

The current study was conducted in the area of medical sociology. This study's primary goal was to determine the prevalence of different health attitudes and how those beliefs affected the usage of healthcare services. The role of family on its members to choose Indigenous medical treatment and the effect of Socio-economic status in the utilization of Indigenous medical treatment are the research questions formulated for the present research. The study was conducted within the framework of Talcott Parsons theory of Doctor Patient Relationship. The sample of the present study consisted of 10 married and 10 unmarried female respondents of Mohallah Dar Ul Islam in Farooqabad and 10 married and 10 unmarried female respondents from Mohallah Siddique Haidery in Farooqabad district Sheikhupura which is a rural area. The sample of these 40 respondents was drawn through convenient sampling procedure. The interview was conducted for data collection. Interviews with survey participants yielded personal data and information about their responses to health and medical services. The ensuing data was then examined to ascertain the variables influencing medical services and health-related behaviors in the research regions. Variables such, Gender, Education, Income and Family backgrounds took into consideration in the present research. Thematic analysis showed mix responses. Indigenous medical ideas and their utilization have been supported by a number of factors, including the negative impacts of allopathic medicine, the beliefs of one's forefathers, low socioeconomic level, social distance from modern medical professionals, and a strong link with indigenous caregivers.  The term used for Indigenous care provider was as traditional healer and indigenous practitioner whereas, for the modern care provider, the terms as medical doctors, medical professional and surgeon were used. It was concluded that rural people strongly depend on indigenous medical treatment due to their concrete beliefs, lack of education, lack of allocation of modern medical resources in their area, poor socio-economic status and the fulfillment of expectations to high regard from indigenous treatment that resultantly leads to low utilization of modern medical treatment.

Key Words: Healthcare services, Behaviour, Sheikhupura, Patients, Medical Sociology, Medical Treatment, Attitude, Therapy