Access to health care in a rural area of the Philippines

This study reports the results of a household survey requested by the mayor and community health officials in an under-served and understudied rural town in the Philippines. The study examines the extent and determinants of access to care. Results showed that 15% had a check-up in the previous year, despite 63% reporting a family history of chronic diseases. Multivariate regression analyses showed that having a usual source of care (P=.006) and education (P=.04) were predictors of having had a checkup the previous year. This study, which represents the first household survey assessing access to care in this rural Filipino population, provides empiric evidence supporting the need for health programs that will improve access to care and routine monitoring of chronic illness in this under-served, rural population.