The Price of Health: Analyzing the Effects of Out-Of-Pocket Health Expenditures on the Health-Seeking Behavior of Urban Poor Mothers in Castillo Compound, Las Piñas City

Abstract

This qualitative study analyzes the effects of out-of-pocket health expenditures on the health-seeking behaviors of urban poor mothers residing in Castillo Compound, Barangay Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City. In a post-pandemic society, healthcare accessibility has been a very pressing issue in the Philippines, particularly concerning marginalized communities. This study aimed to analyze how the quality and accessibility of healthcare services affects how the mothers of Castillo Compound perceive and act on their health. The data was gathered from focus group discussions with the mothers of Castillo Compound and one-on-one interviews were also conducted with key informants (Barangay, City, and Department of Health officers). The research found that the socio-economic constraints that the mothers are dealing with heavily influences their negative health-seeking behaviors. The mothers shared that they would delay seeking healthcare for as long as they can endure their symptoms. Despite the presence of health financing aid such as PhilHealth and the Green Card program provided by both the national and local governments, the mothers shared that the coverage of these are not enough to protect them from financial burden when accessing healthcare services and that there are many situations where out-of-pocket health expenditures are prevalent. The researcher gathered that the nature of the health financing aid programs provided by the local and national governments also influenced the health-seeking behaviors of the mothers. Because the healthcare benefits that they are aware of and are available to them are mainly health finance coverage when an illness occurs, their reactive, rather than proactive, health-seeking behaviors persist and are further perpetuated. The lack of promotion among the mothers and their community on the available health services provided by the local government created an information gap that resulted in additional health expenditures, further affecting their negative health-seeking behaviors. Ensuring that healthcare services do not expose individuals to financial risk is vital in managing and solving both healthcare and socio-economic issues.