Abstract
Background: People use health-care services to diagnose, cure, or ameliorate disease or injury; to improve or maintain function; or to obtain information about their health status and prognosis. Health-care utilization is determined by the need for care, by whether people know that they need care, by whether they want to obtain care, and by whether care can be accessed. The purpose of this study was to determine health services utilization by fisherman who had national health insurance in Sungai Itik village, Jambi. Sumatera, Indonesia.
Subjects and Method: A qualitative study with case study design was conducted at Sungai Lokan community health center, Sungai Itik village, Sadu, Tanjung Jabung Timur, Jambi, Sumatera, Indonesia. The study informants were fisherman, family member of fisherman, head office of Sungai Lokan health center, and local community leaders. The information was collected by in-depth interview. Validity check of the data was tested by source triangulation.
Results: Fisherman tend to prefer to do treatment independently by taking traditional medicine rather than going to the community health center. They had high belief in the effectiveness of traditional medicines. Insurance ownership also affects the utilization of health services by fishermen. The uncertain income of fishermen hinders the use of health services. They complain about the absence of doctors when they are sick. They stated that Sungai Lokan health center does not yet have a dentist.
Conclusion: Fishermen\u2019s belief and lack of health workers affect the utilization of the Sungai Lokan health center.
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