CHAPTER 1
Health Issues and Access to Healthcare Services in Rural Barangays: A
Community-Based Study
Background of the Study
Globally, access to healthcare services remains a critical issue affecting rural and
underserved communities. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) reports that over
half of the world’s population still lacks access to essential health services, with rural
populations facing the greatest barriers due to geographic isolation, poverty, and limited
infrastructure. Health issues such as maternal mortality, malnutrition, communicable
diseases, and non-communicable conditions are exacerbated by the lack of accessible and
quality healthcare.
Nationally, the Philippines continues to experience challenges in healthcare delivery,
particularly in rural and geographically isolated areas. According to the Department of
Health (DOH, 2022), disparities in health outcomes are prominent between urban and rural
populations. Rural residents often suffer from limited access to medical facilities, a shortage
of healthcare professionals, and inadequate health programs. As a result, preventable
diseases remain prevalent, and health inequalities persist across regions.
Locally, rural barangays face persistent health challenges. Communities in remote areas
often have limited access to public health centers, inadequate medical equipment, and
shortages of medicines. Moreover, residents face difficulties due to financial constraints,
transportation barriers, and lack of information about available services. These obstacles
contribute to the worsening of health issues such as malnutrition, poor maternal and child
health outcomes, and prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases.
Given these realities, there is a pressing need to investigate the health issues experienced by
residents of rural barangays and examine their access to healthcare services. This study is
justified as it provides empirical insights that can inform barangay officials, local
government units, and policymakers in crafting community-based health interventions. By
identifying barriers to healthcare access and prevalent health issues, this research
contributes to the ongoing efforts to achieve equitable and sustainable healthcare for all.
Statement of the Problem
This study seeks to assess the health issues and access to healthcare services in rural
barangays. Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:
1. What are the common health issues experienced by residents in rural barangays?
2. How do rural barangay residents access available healthcare services?
3. What barriers hinder residents from utilizing healthcare services?
4. What is the relationship between health issues and access to healthcare services in rural
barangays?
Hypothesis
This study hypothesizes that limited access to healthcare services significantly influences
the prevalence of health issues in rural barangays. Furthermore, it assumes that barriers
such as financial constraints, distance to facilities, and lack of health information impact
residents’ healthcare utilization.
Review of Related Literature
This section provides a critical and analytical review of studies related to health issues and
access to healthcare services. The review is organized into key themes including global
perspectives, national studies, and local contexts. Relevant theories and empirical findings
are synthesized to highlight existing knowledge gaps.
(Note: Full expansion of this section will cover a minimum of 15 pages, including in-depth
analysis, comparison, and synthesis of literature.)
Theoretical Framework
This study is anchored on the Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1974), which posits that
individuals’ health behaviors are influenced by their perceived susceptibility, severity,
benefits, and barriers. Additionally, Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use
(Andersen, 1995) is employed to explain access to healthcare as determined by
predisposing, enabling, and need-based factors. These frameworks are appropriate as they
provide insights into why rural residents may or may not seek healthcare services despite
experiencing health issues.
Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework illustrates the relationship between health issues (independent
variable) and access to healthcare services (dependent variable). The study assumes that
the prevalence of health issues is influenced by the extent of access to healthcare services,
including availability, affordability, and utilization. Barriers such as financial constraints,
geographic location, and awareness mediate this relationship.
Significance of the Study
This study is significant to various stakeholders. For residents of rural barangays, the
findings may lead to improved health programs tailored to their needs. Barangay officials
and local government units can use the results to develop community-based health
interventions and allocate resources effectively. Healthcare providers may gain insights into
challenges faced by rural patients, guiding them to improve service delivery. Policymakers
may utilize the study to design equitable health policies, while future researchers can build
on its findings for more in-depth studies.
Definition of Terms
Health Issues – refers to illnesses, diseases, and conditions experienced by residents in rural
barangays.
Access to Healthcare Services – refers to the availability, affordability, and utilization of
medical and health services by rural residents.
Rural Barangay – refers to the smallest political unit in the Philippines located in non-
urbanized, remote areas.
Community-Based Study – refers to a type of research conducted within a community
setting to gather localized data and insights.
