Health seeking behavior: A review

Pages: 566-568
Shweta Sanjeev Kumar (Junior Research Fellow, D.O.S in Social Work, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka)
S. Y. Swadi (D.O.S in Social Work, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka)

This study of health seeking behavior outlines the main approaches within the field, and summarizes some of the key findings from recent work around the probes. Health seeking behavior is a somewhat over-utilized and under-theorized tool. Although it remains a valid tool for rapid appraisal of a particular issue at a particular time, it is of little use as it stands to explore the wider relationship between populations and health systems development. If we move the debate into new and more fruitful arenas, this study reaches the conclusion that we need to develop an understanding how populations engage with health systems, beyond health seeking behavior as a tool for describing the determinants of health. This study uses secondary sources and descriptive methodology.