The lived experiences of low-middle income people with chronic illnesses in need of maintenance in accessing healthcare and services under the height of inflation

Date of Completion

2023

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Grade 12

Keywords

High Inflation, low to middle-income, Chronic Illnesses, Healthcare accessibility

Abstract

With the Philippines facing a high inflation rate, there are added costs to all necessities which have changed the way Filipinos spend money. However, the situation becomes even more challenging when coupled with an inefficient healthcare system. This raises concerns on how individuals in the low to middle-income bracket would cope with their healthcare needs, including accessing medication and essential healthcare services during the height of inflation.

Through purposely selecting middle to low-income individuals with chronic illnesses who require maintenance located in Cavite, the researchers set one-on-one interviews composed of self-made questions aiming to understand the lived experiences of these individuals when accessing healthcare and services.

The study found that low to middle-income individuals with chronic illnesses had less access to healthcare services due to the high inflation rate. Participants faced greater financial stress and had to make changes to their daily lives in order to maintain their health. They used strategies including stricter spending limits, putting needs over wants, postponing

medication, and looking for other sources of income. In the long run, they intended to rely on public hospitals rather than private hospitals, health cards, loans, and herbal replacements to cover their healthcare demands. These results show the difficulties this demographic encountered and the methods they resorted to maintain access to healthcare services and medication they need.

First Advisor

Don Anthony Tayco

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