Date Posted: June 11, 2026

Author/s: Desiree R. Daniega, MD, MHPEd, Gem E. Dela Cruz, Khael Kimmuel S. Domingo, Mark Moses B. Dorego, Diane Zaida A. Garde, Regina Geraldine R. Grava, Danielle Angela G. Guerrero, Anizamara S. Hilario, Jhazmine T. Mangalino, Charles Benedict A. Mendoza, Linsey Monica N. Morden, Lawrence Bernardo Perez, Joyce Lindzel G. Reyes, Niczon M. See, Alexis John A. Tabbilos, Arianne M. Villaroman

Background: The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) helps beneficiaries become self- sufficient, comply with health services like routine preventive check-ups and vaccination, and helps in poverty alleviation by providing cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education. Determining the beneficiaries’ health-seeking behavior is crucial in assessing the effectiveness of the 4Ps program. Low levels of health-related myths, a favorable view of the healthcare system, and good surveillance of health-seeking behaviors are the expected results if the implementation of the 4Ps health program is effective and adequate.

Objective: To determine the difference between the level of health-seeking behaviors of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of 4Ps in Barangay Rafael Rueda, Nueva Ecija

Methods: This cross sectional study utilized a 15-item survey questionnaire answerable by a 4- point Likert scale to measure the health-seeking behaviors of 4Ps beneficiaries compared with non-beneficiaries. The questions formulated were based on the concepts and factors influencing health-seeking behaviors (Chronbach’s alpha=0.74). Average scores were compared using independent samples t test.

Results: A total of 64 residents of the said barangay were gathered to participate in the study. There were 19 beneficiaries of 4Ps and 45 non-beneficiaries. Independent samples t test analysis of the overall health-seeking behavior of the two groups showed no significant difference (p-value=0.92, 2-tails, 95% CI) and health center visits showed no significant difference as well (p-value=0.98, 2-tails, 95% CI). The 3 variables’ influence on health-seeking behavior were also analyzed and yielded p-value=0.51 for cost of healthcare, p-value=0.48 for perception towards the healthcare system, and p-value=0.25 for misconceptions about health.

Conclusion: The lack of significant difference between the health seeking behaviors of 4Ps beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries as influenced by visits to health center, cost of healthcare, perception towards the healthcare system, and misconceptions about health may be explained by the fact that both groups, apart from receiving the benefits of the 4Ps, belong in the same socioeconomic class, are exposed to similar living conditions and interventions from the government and health sector, and pass down the same belief systems. Comparable results between groups reflect the sad reality that the health interventions offered by the program do not facilitate global health-seeking behavior improvement, rather, only incentivized health activities that are monitored by the program that do not have a spill-over effect to other aspects of health.

Keywords:
Health-seeking behavior, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programs (4Ps), cost of healthcare, misconceptions about health, perceptions towards the healthcare system