FACTORS THAT AFFECTS HEALTH CARE NEEDS

Accessing and using basic health care is essential for normal physical,mental,social and spiritual growth and development of a person. Health care needs delivered to an individual must be adequate and appropriate. Today, many individuals and families do not have access to appropriate health care. Consequently, PNG has the highest infant and child mortality and maternal mortality rate which the highest in the Pacific region. It is only second highest to Africa in terms of maternal mortality. Many people continue to die from easily preventable diseases like Malaria, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Diarrhoea and Pre-natal conditions. The factors affecting health care are varied and far-reaching. As health care around the world is examined, access and use are gaining more attention. If you have health problems -- chronic or acute -- having high-quality, accessible health care is important. Access to health insurance, cultural factors, socioeconomic status, setting, and beliefs about health care, are the most important factors considered when it comes to proper health care.

Many countries in the world have universal health care for their citizens. Access to health care can be determined by the availability of national medical coverage or to that from private health insurance. In 2005, the government of Papua New Guinea made a decision to develop compulsory national health insurance for all citizens. The national health insurance scheme will enable the ordinary people to have easy access to proper health care. Recently,it was discovered that those without insurance were less likely to go to the doctor if they became ill or were injured, compared with people who had easy access to health coverage.
Cultural beliefs about medical care can have a substantial impact on whether or not people seek health care when they become ill or are injured. In some cultures, lack of access to health providers who are of a similar culture or speak the same language can be particularly difficult. This is particularly true in the highlands and some areas of Morobe Province in PNG. Furthermore,income also played an important role for people to access adequate health care. It was discovered that income levels have a significant impact on access to health care. The poor often have little affordable health care. Add to this the expense of pharmaceuticals, and going to the doctor is out of the question for those who do not have universal health care or health insurance.

In PNG majority of the people live in rural areas and urban areas where access to quality health care is a problem.These rural majority and urban disadvantaged lack adequate and appropriate health care needs. The location significantly determine the kind of health care people receive. If you live in a city, you're more likely to be able to access health care than people who live in rural areas. In many cases, doctors choose not to practice in rural settings because of financial constraints or due to lack of resources in rural areas. Often, these areas have deficits in specialists or hospital facilities. As a result, patients may need to drive long distances to attend medical appointments.

Finally, spiritual beliefs have an impact on the use of health care facilities. In many cultural groups, including Native American, Asian and  certain parts of PNG, using modern medical care is in direct conflict with traditional beliefs about the source of health problems and illness. People immersed in these beliefs may turn to more traditional healers and witch doctors for relief of their symptoms.

Whatever it is, on an individual level, in order for a person to access and use adequate and appropriate health care, the factors discussed should be seriously addressed by appropriate government and policy makers.