Reasons for Not Buying Health Card

Abstract

This study was to find out the reason for not buying the health card in people who utilized the medical service at Somdejphraphuthalertla hospital. This was· done by interviewing 202 subjects who came to obtain service during March to April 1997. It was found that 37.6 percent who did not buy the card were those who had no authority for decision in the family. 30.6 percent thought that the card would not used since the members of family were all healthy. 21.7 percent of interviewee concerned for low grade medicine. wheras 16.8 percent had not enough money to buy the health card as well as those afraid of not getting good service. 12.8% of people did not appreciate the referal system. The population characteristics of all interviewee clearly showed that the health card non-buyers aged 13-36 years graduated bachelor and vocational college level, most were students, and having income of 20,000 Baht or above. This study suggested that there are needs for advenisement on health card in details.