Exploring Healthcare Preferences of Senior High School Students

This study investigates the healthcare preferences of senior high school students at Mindanao Mission Academy (MMA) in the Philippines, focused on exploring healthcare preference within an urban setting. Such studies overlook healthcare behaviors among adolescents in semi-rural, mission-based settings. The primary objective of this research is to examine students' preferences for medical checkups versus home remedies and to assess how demographic factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status may influence these choices. This study utilizes a descriptive correlational design, with a sample of 266 students who completed structured survey questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, employing statistical tests including correlation and linear regression. The findings reveal that students exhibit a moderate preference for both medical checkups and home remedies, with age emerging as a significant factor influencing healthcare preferences. However, sex and socioeconomic status were not found to significantly impact healthcare decisions. Specifically, socioeconomic status did not serve as a significant predictor, suggesting socioeconomic status as a single demographic do not predict healthcare preferences. The study highlights the importance of age-specific health education programs, as demographic indicators like sex and socioeconomic status may not reliably predict healthcare preferences. The results suggest that schools, healthcare providers, and policymakers should prioritize creating health education programs modified to the unique healthcare decision-making needs of adolescents, focusing on buiding independent decision-making skills. These programs should address the importance of recognizing symptoms and understanding when to seek professional care or utilize home remedies. Future research could explore how healthcare preferences evolve over time, considering a broader age range or different socio-cultural settings.