Health Seeking Behaviour among Tribal Population of Shekharakund Colony, Wayanad, Kerala

Abstract

Introduction: Health is the major pathway to human development. The individual self, various diseases, and the
availability and accessibility of health services all have an impact on how people seek health care.
Objectives: The present study is aimed to assess the health seeking behaviours in the tribes of Paniya and
Kattunayakan in Shekharakund colony, Wayanad.
Methods: Data to know the health seeking behaviour was collected using predesigned and pretested questionnaire
in the native language. Questions were asked about adequate health check-ups in nearby health centres, utilisation
of health benefits from nearby PHCs, detection of pregnancy, antenatal check-ups, mode of delivery, immunization
of infants and prevalence of communicable and non-communicable disease (DM/HT) in the selected population,
maternal and infant death in the community, knowledge about the antivenom for the snake envonemation, belief
in black magic in causation and treatment of disease.
Results: Majority of the study population above 35yrs of age, did not seek health care benefits. 99% of the tribal
population found it difficult to take leave from work, 92% complained about long waiting time, 48 % were not
satisfied with the treatment, 95% of respondents said due to unavailability of doctors during the time they visited,
98% agreed the distance of health centre was long for them to visit every time. 52.9% of tribal population preferred
allopathic treatment over traditional healers. Only 29.4% of the population were aware of snake anti-venom.
Conclusions: When treatment is sought, traditional medicines and healers play an important role in maintaining
health and well-being among the ethnic groups. Traditional medicines and healers were preferred for treatment of
both ‘simple and complicated diseases’ because of easy accessibility. They are aware of the superiority of modern
health services but are hesitant to employ them due to the potential time loss.