A Department of Health in Region 10 (DOH-10) official believes the public’s “health-seeking” behavior might have been “very low” during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, often leading to serious health outcomes.

“Health-seeking behavior,” is defined by health professionals as actions made by individuals to learn about the state of their health conditions by consulting medical doctors.

Dr. David Mendoza, DOH-10’s Local Health Support Division Chief, said Friday that individuals lacking health-seeking behavior would rather not go to hospitals or see a doctor because of fear that they would be diagnosed with Covid-19.

“That is why they don’t want to be tested even when they are sick. They will just say it’s just an ordinary flu,” Mendoza said during Friday’s launching here of DOH’s “Konsultayo.”

Dr. Wella Kindom Brito, DOH-10’s Chief of Infectious Diseases Cluster, said Konsultayo was conceptualized for health promotion and education.

“We have seven priority areas: diet and exercise, environmental health, vaccines, and immunization,” Brito said, adding the program hopes to influence health-seeking behaviors among residents.

Brito said the prevention of illegal substance use, improving mental health, learning sexual reproductive, and violence and injury prevention were also included in the seven habits being advocated under Konsultayo.

Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo, DOH-10 assistant director, said Konsultayo is a weekly information and dissemination campaign for the public to get the right information on all health cases and encourage them to seek medical attention.

The program also provides an opportunity for the public to ask DOH officials and other doctors directly about health issues. (PNA)