1Assistant Professor,
2Junior Resident,
According to census report, India's urban population is expected to rise to 182 million by 2026. The unprecedented growth in the population poses challenges for the government in providing basic services in urban areas. Rapid urbanization and tourism has resulted into growth of many congested and slum-like areas in different parts of Gangtok town.
To study health seeking behavior of residents of underprivileged areas of Gangtok.
The present study was a descriptive study. A total of 136 households were included in the study, which were selected by stratified random sampling. The predesigned, field tested instruments were used for data collection. The information was obtained by conducting household survey, interviewing the eligible woman in the reproductive age group and/or head of the family.
The total population from 136 houses was 608.average family size was 4.47. 18% of the households had monthly income more than Rs. 5000/-For the management of common ailments, 28 per cent households used Government health facilities, where as 35.6% and 35.2% services used were from chemist and local healers respectively. 81.6% of households used government facility for Obstetric & Gynecological reasons. Only 91.3% of females utilized health services during antenatal period. Maximum number of deliveries took place at government health facility (67.7%). 50.8% of households informed that delivery was conducted by the government doctor. 84.1% of the households utilized government health facilities for family welfare services.
The government health services were maximally used for gynecological problems, health issues during pregnancy, for child birth, family welfare, neonatal and childhood illnesses. For management of common illnesses, private chemists and local healers played a significant role as a source of health advice. The utilization of health facilities in private sector was very low.
Urbanization, Underprivileged area, health seeking behavior
