Knowledge of Avaliability and Utilization of Health Care Services
Laishram Dabashini Devi, Swapna Mary A
Global College of Nursing, Bangalore.
*Corresponding Author Email: roshini999.bk@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Educating the rural people regarding availability and utilization of health care services will improve their knowledge and health also. So, this study is intended to assess the knowledge of residents regarding Availability and utilization of health care services with a view to develop information booklet. The objectives are to assess knowledge and associate them with selected demographic variables, develop and provide an information booklet regarding availability and utilization of health care services among residents. Research approach was used is descriptive approach which is an non-experimental design. The target population for the study were selected from PHC, Bengaluru. This population was selected by convenient sampling technique. The total samples under the study were 60 residents (male and female). The data was collected by structured questionnaire schedule which was designed to assess the knowledge of residents regarding availability and utilization of health care services. The results were described by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The major findings of the study show the respondent’s mean knowledge score 18.3% of the respondents had inadequate knowledge,78.3% of the respondents had moderate knowledge and 3.3% of the respondents had adequate knowledge on availability and utilization of health care services. Among the demographic variables analysed in the study, gender and type of family to have significant association with knowledge scores. And there was no significant association found between, age, occupational status, educational status. The overall findings of the study clearly showed that the residents had moderate knowledge score (78.3%). It reveals that, if the residents are provided with some sort of educational interventions such as information booklets, on availability and utilization of health care services will definitely brief up their knowledge, which in turn contributes to improve the total quality of one’s health.
KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Avaliability, Utilization, Health Care Services.
INTRODUCTION:
Globally, health services are known to be provided at different levels by different agencies and specialists. However, it has come to the intimation of most researchers that the rural areas have several problems.1 According to a researcher, Eyeni (1987), the critical set back to development in most developing countries of the world is the lack of proper and adequate attention to the difficulties faced by the rural regions.
It is however, interesting to know that issues of rural development are being backed by philanthropists, individual researchers and the government at various levels in Nigeria. The first attempt at planning ahead for the development of health services in the country took place between 1946 and 1956 and covered all aspects of governmental activities in the states. Thus, the trend of development was reversed, as to paying attention to regional development with the aim of enhancing the quality of life of the population.2 In view of this, many plans were made for the construction of rural health care centers, dispensaries and the extension as well as modernization of the existing hospitals, especially in the bid to narrow the disparity in the standard of living between urban and rural dwellers/residents, as well as to increase rural productivity. 3
OBJECTIVE:
· To assess the knowledge of urban people regarding the availability and utilization of health care services among urban slums of Banaglore South.
· To find out the association between the knowledge of urban people regarding the availability and utilization of health care services and selected socio demographic variables.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
The descriptive design was used to assess the knowledge of people regarding availability and utilization of health care services in rural services. The study subject was selected from PHC area, Bangalore south. The target population for the present study was people above the age group of 20 years, PHC area Bangalore south. A sample consists of people above the age group of 20 (male and female) residing at PHC area, Bangalore south. The sample size comprises of 60 people. The convenient sampling type was adopted for selecting samples for the present study.
RESULTS:
Table – 1: Distribution of respondents by age and gender N=60
|
Characteristics |
Category |
Respondents |
|
|
Number |
Percent |
||
|
Age Group |
20-30 |
41 |
68.3% |
|
31-40 |
16 |
26.6% |
|
|
41-50 |
1 |
1.6% |
|
|
Above 50 |
2 |
3.3% |
|
|
Gender |
Male |
15 |
25% |
|
Female |
45 |
75% |
|
|
Total |
|
60 |
100% |
Table – 2: Distribution of respondents by educational and occupational status N=60
|
Characteristics |
Category |
Respondents |
|
|
Educational status |
|
Number |
Percent |
|
Primary |
8 |
13.3% |
|
|
High school |
5 |
8.3% |
|
|
SSLC |
25 |
41.6% |
|
|
PUC |
15 |
25% |
|
|
Graduation and above |
6 |
10% |
|
|
Others |
1 |
1.6% |
|
|
Occupational status |
Agriculture |
28 |
46.6% |
|
Government |
3 |
5% |
|
|
Private |
11 |
18.3% |
|
|
Business |
13 |
21.6% |
|
|
Others |
5 |
8.3% |
|
|
Total |
|
60 |
100% |
Table 1 gives a description of respondents by age. Out of 60 respondents68.3%( 41) of the respondents are in the age of 20-30 years,26.6%(16) of the respondents are in between the age of 31-40 years,1.6%(1) of the respondent is in between the age group of 41-50 years,3.3%(2) of the respondents are between the age group of above 50 years .Out of 60 respondents75% (45) of the respondents were females as compared to25 %( 15) of male respondents.
Table 2 shows classification of respondents by educational status. Out of 60 respondents 41.6% (25) of the respondents have studied up to SSLC, 25% (15) up to PUC, 13.3% (8) up to primary school.10% (6) were graduated and above, 8.3% (5) up to high school, 1.6% (1) of the respondents had other type of education. Out of 60 respondents 46.6%(28) of the respondents were e agricultural workers,21.6%(13) respondents were in business field,18.3%(11) respondents were in private job,8.3%(5) were in the category of other works and 5%(3)were in government job.
Table – 3: Classification of respondents by type of family N=60
|
Type of family |
Respondents |
|
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
Nuclear |
35 |
58.3% |
|
Joint |
23 |
38.3% |
|
Extend |
2 |
3.3% |
|
Total |
60 |
100% |
Table 3 shows classification of respondents by type of family. Out of 60 respondents majority 58.3%(35)of the respondents were from nuclear family followed by38.3%(23)were from the joint family,and 3,3%(2) from extended family
Table-4: Classification of respondents by overall knowledge level on availability and utilization of health care services N=60
|
Knowledge level |
Respondents |
|
|
|
Number |
Percent |
|
Inadequate |
11 |
18.3% |
|
Moderate |
47 |
78.3% |
|
Adequate |
2 |
3.3% |
|
Total |
60 |
100% |
Table 4 depicts classification of respondents by knowledge level on availability and utilization of health care services.
Table – 7: Association between age group and knowledge level of respondents on availability and utilization of health care services N=60
|
Age in Years |
Sample (N) |
Knowledge Level |
Χ 2 Value |
|||||
|
Adequate |
Moderate |
Inadequate |
||||||
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|||
|
20-30 |
41 |
2 |
4.8 |
33 |
80.4 |
6 |
14.6 |
12.59 NS |
|
31-40 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
75 |
4 |
25 |
|
|
41-50 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Above 50 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
50 |
1 |
50 |
|
|
Total |
60 |
2 |
3.3 |
47 |
78.3 |
11 |
18.3 |
|
NS- Not Significant X 2 = (0.05, df 6) =3.210
It represent that out of 60 respondents 18.3%(11) of the respondents had inadequate knowledge, 78.3%(47) of the respondents had moderate knowledge and 3.3%(2) of the respondents had adequate knowledge on availability and utilization of health care services.
The data presented in table 7 indicates the association between age group and knowledge level of respondents on availability and utilization of health care services. It shows that among 41 respondents in the age group of 20-30 years, 4.8 % (2) had adequate knowledge level, 80.4 % (33) respondent had moderate knowledge level and 14.6%(6) respondents had inadequate knowledge level. Further, among 16 respondents between the age group 31-40 years, 0 % (0) had adequate knowledge level, 75 % (12) had moderate knowledge level and 25% (4) had inadequate knowledge level. And among 1 respondent with the age group 41-50 years, 0 % (0) had adequate knowledge level, 100 % (1) had moderate knowledge level and 0% (0) had inadequate knowledge level, and among 2 respondents with the age group above 50 years,0%(0) had adequate knowledge level,50%(1) had moderate knowledge level and 50%(1) had inadequate knowledge level. Hence, the value of X2 is found to be not significant at 5% level (X2 = 12.59*, P>0.05). It indicates that there is no significant association between knowledge and the respondent’s age.
Table 8 indicates the association between gender and knowledge level of respondents on availability and utilization of health care services. Among 15 male respondents 0% (0) respondents were found to be having adequate knowledge level, 80% (12) respondents possessed moderate knowledge level and 20%(3) respondents had inadequate knowledge and among45 female respondents 4.4 % (2) female respondents possessed adequate knowledge,77.7%(35) respondents had moderate knowledge and 17.7 % (8) respondents found to have inadequate knowledge. Hence, the value of X2 is found to be significant at 5% level (X2 = 5.99, P>0.05). It indicates that there is significant association between knowledge and the respondent’s gender.
Table – 9 depicts the association between education and knowledge level of respondents on Availability and utilization of health care services. Among 8 respondents educated till primary school, 0 % (0) had adequate knowledge, 87.5% (7) had moderate knowledge and 12.5%(1) had inadequate knowledege. Among 5 respondents educated till high school, 0% (0) had adequate knowledge level, 60 % (3) respondents had moderate knowledge level and 40%(2) had inadequate knowledge.
Table – 8: Association between gender and knowledge level of respondents on Availability and utilization of health care services N=60
|
Gender |
Sample (N) |
Knowledge Level |
X2 value |
|||||
|
Adequate |
Moderate |
Inadequate |
||||||
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|||
|
Male |
15 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
80 |
3 |
20 |
5.99 * |
|
Female |
45 |
2 |
4.4 |
35 |
77.7 |
8 |
17.7 |
|
|
Total |
60 |
2 |
3.3 |
47 |
78.3 |
11 |
18.3 |
|
*Significant at 5% level X 2=(0.05,df2)=.704
Table – 9: Association between educational status and knowledge level of respondents on Availability and utilization of health care services. N=60
|
Educational Status |
Sample (N) |
Knowledge Level |
X2 value |
|||||
|
Adequate |
Moderate |
Inadequate |
||||||
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|||
|
Primary |
8 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
87.5 |
1 |
12.5 |
18.31 NS |
|
High school |
5 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
60 |
2 |
40 |
|
|
SSLC |
25 |
1 |
4 |
18 |
72 |
6 |
24 |
|
|
PUC |
15 |
1 |
6.6 |
12 |
80 |
2 |
13.3 |
|
|
Graduation and above |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Others |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
60 |
2 |
3.3 |
47 |
78.3 |
11 |
18.3 |
|
NS- Not Significant at 5% level X 2=(0.05, df10)=5.408
Table – 10: Association between occupational status and knowledge level of respondents on Availability and utilization of health care services N=60
|
Occupational status |
Sample (N) |
Knowledge Level |
X 2 value |
|||||
|
Adequate |
Moderate |
Inadequate |
||||||
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|||
|
Agriculture |
28 |
1 |
3.5 |
22 |
78.5 |
5 |
17.8 |
15.51 NS |
|
Government |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
66.6 |
1 |
33.3 |
|
|
Private |
11 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
63.6 |
4 |
36.3 |
|
|
Business |
13 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Others |
5 |
1 |
20 |
3 |
60 |
1 |
20 |
|
|
Total |
60 |
2 |
3.3 |
47 |
78.3 |
11 |
18.3 |
|
NS- Not Significant at 5% level X 2=(0.05,df 8)=11.134
Table – 11: Association between type of family and knowledge level of respondents on availability and utilization of health care services N=60
|
Type of Family |
Sample |
Knowledge Level |
X 2 value |
|||||
|
Adequate |
Moderate |
Inadequate |
||||||
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|||
|
Nuclear |
35 |
1 |
2.8 |
26 |
74.2 |
8 |
22.8 |
9.49 * |
|
Joint |
23 |
1 |
4.3 |
19 |
82.6 |
3 |
13 |
|
|
Extended |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
60 |
2 |
3.3 |
47 |
78.3 |
11 |
18.3 |
|
* - Significant at 5% level X 2=(0.05,df 4)=1.517
Among 25 respondents with SSLC qualification, 4 % (1) had adequate knowledge level, 72 % (18) had moderate knowledge level and 24% (6) had inadequate knowledge level. Among 15 respondents with PUC qualification, 6.6% (1) had adequate knowledge, 80% (12) had moderate knowledge, 13.3%(2) had inadequate knowledge. Further, 6 graduated respondents 0% (0) had adequate knowledge, 100% (6) had moderate knowledge, 0%(0) had inadequate knowledge. Among 1 respondent with other qualification, 0% (0) had adequate knowledge 100% (1) had moderate knowledge and 0 %(0) had inadequate knowledge level. Hence, the value of X2 is found to be not significant at 5% level (X2 = 18.31 P>0.05). It indicates that there is significant association between knowledge and the respondent’s education.
Table – 10 depicts the association between occupation and knowledge level of respondents availability and utilization of health care services. Among 28 respondents with Agriculture occupation, 3.5 % (1) had adequate knowledge, 78.5% (22) had moderate knowledge and 17.8%(5) had inadequate knowledge level. Among 3 respondents with Government occupation, 0 % (0) had adequate knowledge, 66.6% (2) had moderate knowledge and 33.3%(1) had inadequate knowledge. Among 11 respondents with private job 0 % (0) had adequate knowledge level, 63.6 % (7) respondents had moderate knowledge level and 36.3 %(4) and inadequate knowledege.. In case of 13 respondents with business as occupation, 0% (0) had inadequate knowledge and 100% (13) had moderate knowledge and 0%(0) had inadequate knowlede. Further, among 5 respondents in other occupation, 20 % (1) inadequate knowledge level and 60% (3) had moderate knowledge, 20%(1) had adequate knowledge level.
Hence, the value of X2 is found to be non- significant at 5% level (X2 = 15.51 NS, P>0.05). It indicates that there is no significant association between knowledge and the respondent’s income.
Table – 11 shows Association between type of family and knowledge level of respondents on availability and utilization of health care services. Among 35 respondents from nuclear family, 2.8% (1) had adequate knowledge level, 74%(26) had moderate knowledge level and22.8 % (8) had inadequate knowledge level. Further among 23 respondents from joint family 4.3 % (1) had adequate knowledge level, 82.6%(19) had moderate knowledge level and 13% (3) had inadequate knowledge level. Among 2 respondents from extended family,0%(0) had adequate knowledge level, 100%(2) had moderate knowledge level,0%(0) had inadequate knowledge level. Hence, the value of X2 is found to be significant at 5% level (X2 = 9.49* P<0.05). It indicates that there is significant association between knowledge and the respondent’s marital status.
CONCLUSION:
Studies should be carried out in the rural areas mainly focusing on the knowledge, attitude and practice of them regarding Availability and utilization of health care services. Thus, the present investigation offers infinite scope and potential implications for nursing practice, administration and research aspects of Availability and utilization of health care services.
REFERENCES:
1. Department of Human Nutrition[home page on internet]Mujib-ur-Rehman, Naushad Khan and Muhammad Abbas availability and utilization of primary health care services in the rural areas of district peshawar – a case study 2007(cited on 2012 nov 22), available from : www.aup.edu.pk/.../
Received on 10.10.2022 Modified on 08.11.2022
Accepted on 27.11.2022 ©AandV Publications All right reserved
Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2023; 13(1):43-46.
DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2023.00011