The study investigated the interplay of socio-demographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviors, and barriers to healthcare access of the Tingguians, Kankanaeys, and Bagos of Alilem and Lidlida, Ilocos Sur.

A Free and Prior Informed Consent was secured before data collection. Quantitative data were obtained using a structured questionnaire that was translated to Ilokano, Itneg and Kankanaey dialects and back-translated to English. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions using an interview guide. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation was used to analyze data with p<.05.

Majority of the IPs were older adults (mean age of 66 years old), married, equally distributed as to sex, reached elementary level, affiliated with the Church of Christ,  engage in farming, household size of 4-6 members, and living below the poverty line (mean monthly family income of 2700 pesos). The IPs agreed positively in their perception about healthcare delivery but remained neutral as to health beliefs, social structure, healthcare  facilities and personnel, and perceptions as to severity of illness and need for treatment.

There exist significant correlations between socio-demographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviors, and barriers to healthcare access: ethnicity to social structure (0.43) and perception as to severity of illness (0.38); household size to health beliefs (0.38); occupation to social structure (-0.28), and perception as to severity of illness (-0.44); time constraint to social structure (0.29) and perception as to severity of illness (0.25); and financial considerations to perception as to severity of illness (0.32).

The profiling of the IPs can augment the limited information at present. The results provide insight into ways to develop responsive changes within the present primary health care system to improve service delivery.

Keywords: Bago, health-seeking behavior, healthcare utilization Kankanaey, Tingguian