Factors Influencing Health-seeking Behavior of Public Utility Vehicle Drivers in Iloilo City, Philippines

Abstract

Aims: To examine the health-seeking behavior of Public Utility Vehicle Drivers and to investigate the factors determining health-seeking behavior. Study design: This study employed a descriptive-correlational quantitative research design. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Barangay Cuartero, Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines, from August 2025 to February 2026. Methodology: The study included 112 drivers in total (81 tricycle and 31 pedicab drivers) aged ≥18 years through purposive total enumeration sampling. Data collection involved a six-part questionnaire incorporating four researcher-made questionnaires, and adopted tools such as the BARSHSS-CV and the Health-Seeking Behavior Scale (Kirac & Ozturk, 2021). Data was encoded in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Jamovi (Version 2.6). Results: Age showed a weak negative association with health-seeking behavior (rₛ = −.19, P = .04). Smoking exposure also showed a significant difference in health-seeking behavior (U = 972, P = .018), with higher levels of health-seeking among non-exposed drivers (M = 2.92, SD = 0.62). An inverse relationship between health-seeking behavior and YAKAP awareness (t = −2.54, P = .012) was also found. Furthermore, respiratory health problems were significantly negatively correlated (r = −.221, P = .019) with health-seeking behavior, while accessibility of healthcare services showed a significant positive association (r = .229, P = .015).  Conclusion: Age, smoking exposure, YAKAP awareness, extent of respiratory health problems, and perceived accessibility to healthcare services were significantly associated with health-seeking behavior. These findings highlight the need for targeted occupational health interventions and improved health program awareness among PUV drivers to enhance timely healthcare utilization.