Economic Status and Healthcare Seeking Behaviour Pattern among Ailing Patients in Imphal, Manipur: A Cross-sectional Analysis
Sarangthem Dayarani Devi *
Department of Sociology, Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur, India.
Naorem Ingochouba Singh
Ibotombi Institute of Education, Canchipur, India and Department of Education, Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur, India.
Akoijam Pete Meitei
Ibotombi Institute of Education, Canchipur, India.
Achom Roshan Kumar
Department of Sociology, Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Economic status plays a crucial role in shaping healthcare-seeking behaviour by influencing the affordability, accessibility, and utilisation of healthcare services. Despite improvements in healthcare infrastructure, financial barriers continue to affect healthcare access and treatment choices among patients, particularly in economically diverse regions such as Manipur. This cross-sectional study examines the association between economic status and healthcare-seeking behaviour among ailing patients in Imphal, Manipur. The study focused on socio-demographic profile, income status, chronic illness pattern, healthcare utilisation, treatment facility preference, and perceived barriers to healthcare access. Primary data were collected from 500 respondents who had experienced acute or chronic illness and had sought healthcare services within the three months preceding the survey. Participants were selected through purposive sampling from four major zones of Imphal. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, economic status, illness profile, frequency of healthcare visits, place of consultation, and barriers to healthcare access. The sample consisted of 254 males (50.8%) and 246 females (49.2%). Most respondents were in the 41–59 age group, accounting for 322 participants (64.4%). The largest income group was ₹20,000–₹30,000 per month, comprising 190 respondents (38.0%). Diabetes was the most commonly reported chronic illness, with 149 cases (29.8%), followed by arthritis with 101 cases (20.2%). Regarding healthcare utilisation, 420 respondents (84.0%) visited healthcare facilities occasionally, 61 respondents (12.2%) visited regularly, and 19 respondents (3.8%) visited often. Private clinics and hospitals were the preferred source of consultation for 419 respondents (83.8%), while 44 respondents (8.8%) used government hospitals and 37 respondents (7.4%) consulted doctors at home. High medication and treatment costs were reported by 414 respondents (82.8%), and financial constraints by 375 respondents (75.0%) were the major barriers. The findings indicate that economic status is closely linked with healthcare utilisation, treatment choice, and barriers to healthcare access among ailing patients in Imphal.
Keywords: Accessibility, chronic illness, economic status, healthcare-seeking behaviour, health inequality, imphal.