Factors influencing health-seeking behavior among overseas Filipino workers

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the various predictors of health-seeking behavior among overseas Filipino workers. More specifically, this determines the influence of sociodemographic factors, perceived health status, and knowledge on PhilHealth insurance to health-seeking behavior. It is based on a study that involved 3001 survey respondents. Findings reveal that the respondents in general perceived themselves to be healthy. Their knowledge about PhilHealth, however, is limited. The respondents preferred to seek medical care from a physician. Results also indicate that when illnesses are manageable, the respondents resort to self-medication instead. This paper concludes that perceived health status, sickness in the past two years, level of education, age, and no. of children predict health-seeking behavior particularly seeking medical care from a doctor. Moreover, income and sickness in the past two years were significant predictors to seeking care from a traditional health provider. Sickness in the past two years, sex, perceived health status, and age influence self-medication. Lastly, sickness in the past two years, perceived health status, age, and income were significant predictors to a hospital visit. Summarily, the findings suggest that to increase health seeking, health promotion should consider the various sociodemographic and personal characteristics of individuals.

KEYWORDS:

• Health-seeking behavior
• overseas Filipino workers
• access to insurance
• health status
• PhilHealth

Acknowledgment

The views, insights, or opinions expressed in this article are of the author’s own and do not reflect the view of the funder.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This paper is based on a government-commissioned study conducted by the author entitled ‘Health Conditions, Health-Seeking Behavior, and Access to Insurance among Overseas Filipino Workers’ funded by PhilHealth through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

Notes on contributors

Melvin A. Jabar

Dr. Melvin A. Jabar obtained his Ph.D. in Asia Pacific Studies from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and his Master of Health Social Science from De La Salle University. He has undergraduate degrees in Social Science and Psychology.