Health behavior of urban and rural populations living around Karachi

ABSTRACT

To look at the variation in health behaviors among various ethnic groups viz Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluch, Pathans and Urdu Speaking. A cross-sectional study was done through a structured questionnaire. Urban and rural communities of 5 ethnic groups. 103 urban and 129 rural families residing in and around 20 miles of Karachi. Health beliefs 79% of the families were living in houses with 3 or less rooms with no significant difference between urban and rural households. Educational level was significantly different between urban and rural [p< 0.00] and also between different cultures [p <0.00] as the highest education was in the urdu speaking city dwellers. Majority of rural responses for causation of disease were in favour of inadequate sanitation. Gods will, infection and poor nutrition whereas the urban responses included unhealthy habits, poor nutrition and inadequate sanitation. The attributed cause of diarrhoea were teething, inadequate sanitation and seasons with very little difference between urban, rural and different cultures. More of urban [31.8%] and less of rural [8%] were exercising regularly or off and on. More of urban [86%] and less of rural [56.3%] were in favour of family planning and only 22.6% of rural and 44.2% of urban respondents were using contraceptives. Although urbanization has an effect on health beliefs, the deep-rooted effect of rural background on these beliefs and cultural variation can't be ignored. The families in the study sample are now living in and around the vicinity of a megacity, their health beliefs were significantly different. Health planning should take into account the variations in health behaviors following these beliefs of different communities