Family Perception on Utilizing Health Care Services

Abstract

The family perception regarding health largely influences access to use healthcare service which subsequently affects the degree of public health in general. This access is one of the indicators to measure the degree of society health. Therefore, the government attempts to improve the health services by developing facility in particular Puskesmas (community health centers) and providing health workers that could reach all communities including people in the remote areas. This study was a qualitative research with descriptive phenomenology design intended to investigate the family perception on utilizing healthcare service in the area of Puskesmas Uwen Pante, East Taniwel District, West Seram Regency. The number of participants in this research was 6 people until the data saturation was achieved. The data was analyzed using the method of focusing and selective analysis which resulted in 3 themes: 1) the meaning of being healthy and sick, 2) the reasons for not using health facility, and 3) the family responses. This study concluded that the lack of facility, great distance to the health centers, accepted taboos and previous experience in getting treatment become factors in which families dismiss the use of health services.