A STUDY ON ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS RURAL HEALTH SERVICES IN HILLY REGION OF UTTARAKHAND

Abstract

Background: The wide disparities in health status exist within many countries worldwide. Lack of access to quality health-care providers is one of the primary root causes of health inequity and is disproportionately experienced by people living in remote and rural communities.

Aims & objectives: To study the attitude and perception of medical students towards rural health service.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the government medical college in the state of Uttarakhand, India. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was filled by 457 undergraduate medical students. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 16. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis and p <0.05 was considered significant

Results: Of the 457 students, 261 (57.1%) were willing to work in rural areas after graduation. Mostly (33.9%) said they would work for 1-2 years. Majority (63.5%) of the students wants to contribute towards the betterment of health system of the state. 38.7% wish to join Government health facility. Limited infrastructure facilities, limited professional growth, delay in post graduation were the few reasons cited by the students for refusing to work in rural areas. Rural residence and schooling done in rural areas has significant association with willingness to work in rural areas after graduation.

Conclusion: More than half of the students wished to work in rural areas but mostly for one to two years. The rural postings should be made attractive so that more of the undergraduates join rural health system.