Quality of Life and Healthcare Seeking Behavior among Internal Migrant Laborers in Coimbatore, India: A
P Aparnavi1, M Malarkodi2, Sivagami Ramanathan2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Background:
Globalization and urbanization have increased international and internal migration. However, migrants are still not absorbed into the local communities and remain vulnerable groups. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the quality of life (QoL) and healthcare-seeking behavior (HCSB) of internal migrant laborers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Methodology:
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the year 2023 among 321 migrant laborers residing for a minimum duration of 6 months in Coimbatore. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demography, QoL (using the WHO BREF scale), HCSB, and healthcare expenses. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethical committee. Informed written consent was obtained from the participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare QoL across socio-demographics and HCSB.
Results:
The overall QoL score was 61, and those in social and environmental domains were also above 60. The QoL was higher in the environmental and social domains than in the physical and psychological domains. Females, married people, those currently living with their family, those working in the organized sector, and those in higher socio-economic status had better QoL than their counterparts. Per capita income had a positive correlation with physical, psychological, and environmental aspects of life. About 68% of those who used private sector healthcare services had catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs).
Conclusion:
The overall QoL among migrant laborers was moderate. Migrants preferring formal healthcare enjoyed better QoL. Major CHE was for delivery, and hence, the barriers to accessing free government services are to be explored.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:17Classification of Illness
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:26Traditional Level Of Health Care System
The preventive healthcare service includes tests for screening. Preventive health care services include identifying and reducing disease risk...
01:21Dimensions of Health and Illness