Determinants of Rural Women’ Healthcare Behavior in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Current study has examined the determinants of healthcare seeking behaviour of rural women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. For this, data were collected from 178 respondents using a questionnaire and key informants interviews i.e. lady health workers (10) and doctors (10). For data analysis, descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used. It was found that majority of the respondents did not sought immediate healthcare. Various themes have been identified through thematic analysis such as social, cultural and economic factors which influence healthcare seeking behavior of rural women in the study area. Social factors included gender and patriarchy, while restricted mobility, low educational status, and non-preference of women healthcare needs were encompassed by cultural factors. Economic factors comprised of affordability and availability of transportation. Therefore, appropriate and long term planning and execution from the formal health care system of the province in the light of current study findings are suggested.