Factors influencing parents' healthcare-seeking behavior for their children in Cavite during the COVID-19 pandemic / by Elaine Joy A. Dela Peña, Camille Grace A. Espallardo, Kurt Lionel G. Estacion, Gail Yvana D. Sarmiento and Esther Victoria H. Tolentino.

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology) Cavite State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Nursing (CON).

DELA PENA, ELAINE JOY A., ESPALLARDO, CAMILLE GRACE A., ESTACION, KURT LIONEL G., SARMIENTO, GAIL YVANA D., AND TOLENTINO, ESTHER VICTORIA H.

Factors Influencing Parents' Healthcare-Seeking Behavior for their Children in Cavite during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. Cavite State University, Indang Cavite. June 2021. Adviser: Prof. Nenita B. Panaligan, RN, MAN. This community-based study was conducted in the province of Cavite from February to May 2021. It aimed to identify the factors influencing the healthcare- seeking behavior of parents with regards to addressing pediatric health during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically it determined the predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, and perceived needs based on the Andersen and Newman Behavioral Model. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was utilized in the study. A total of 100 parents were selected using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. To ensure that the respondents fit the inclusion criteria, an initial screening was performed. Data were collected using self-administered online survey questionnaires. Significant findings showed that home remedies or self-medication (63%) were considered the major healthcare-seeking behavior of parents during this pandemic. Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 in health facilities, unavailability of doctors and transportation were described as the barriers to parents' decision on seeking healthcare for their children. The most common factors influencing the parents' healthcare-seeking behavior were determined using the chi-square test of independence (a= 0.05). These include (a) predisposing characteristics: age, sex, marital status, employment status, religion, education, and main source of health information; (b) enabling resources: access to health insurance, social interaction, medical practitioner and institution of choice, and costs of health resources; and (c) perceived needs: perceived severity of illness, perceived importance of seeking early care, and observed symptoms. Reliance on self-medication is highly observed during the pandemic. Socio- demographic profile, perceived severity of illness, susceptibility to COVID-19 in health facilities, and availability of health resources were the main predictors of parents' healthcare-seeking behavior. These findings indicate the need for interventions and policies in improving the knowledge and perception of parents toward common childhood illness and in addressing the socio-economically disadvantaged and the poor access to health care, especially during this pandemic.

Submitted to the University Library 08/01/2022 T-9162