Knowledge, attitude and practices on health seeking in primary care among residents of Thiraimadu PHM Division, MOH Batticaloa

Abstract

Primary care is the patient's first contact with the health system. The aim is to provide universal health access through a family doctor who is responsible for a smaller population and to build the concept of " a primary care doctor for all". Though this is a globally accepted health concept practiced worldwide, Sri Lanka needs to widen and improve the existing primary care system. The purpose of this study was to identify the sociodemographic details and assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on health seeking in primary care among residents of Thiraimadu PHM Division, MOH Batticaloa. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among the residents, between 20 and 60 years of age, in Thiraimadu division, MOH Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. After obtaining permission from the MOH in Batticaloa, we collected the data through a validated and pretested interview-administrated questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 27. Most majority of participants 95.2% (n = 339) have adequate knowledge about primary care, while less than 10% (n = 3) have inadequate knowledge about primary care. Few participants 5.3% (n = 19) do not prefer primary care, while more than half 53.4% (n = 190) of them prefer a consultant physician for their first contact care. Substantial portion of participants practice primary care as their first contact. Residents in the University Study Area have adequate knowledge on primary care institutions without obscuring the concept of primary care, while having good attitudes towards services. The residents of the university study area are practicing health seeking in primary care despite its shortcomings and the practices are influenced by selected factorssuch as cost effectiveness, closer residence.