Health Beliefs and Seeking Behavior of Diabetic Patients for Opd Consultation in a Selected Hospital in Quezon Province

Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health concern, significantly contributing to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. This study examined the relationship between health beliefs and health-seeking behavior among diabetic patients in relation to outpatient department (OPD) consultation utilization in a selected hospital in Quezon Province. A descriptive–correlational research design was employed involving 100 purposively selected diabetic patients. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM), measuring perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, self-efficacy, and health-seeking behavior. Descriptive statistics, weighted mean, and Pearson correlation coefficient were utilized for analysis. Results revealed that respondents demonstrated high levels of perceived susceptibility (M=3.40), perceived severity (M=3.40), perceived benefits (M=3.47), cues to action (M=3.40), and self-efficacy (M=3.50), while perceived barriers were moderate (M=2.80). Health-seeking behavior was also high (M=3.43), indicating consistent OPD consultation and adherence to treatment. Significant relationships were found between health beliefs and health-seeking behavior (r=0.62, p=0.001), as well as between demographic variables such as age (p=0.032), education (p=0.001), occupation (p=0.045), and duration of diabetes (p=0.005) with health beliefs. The findings confirm that stronger health beliefs significantly enhance health-seeking behavior among diabetic patients. Interventions targeting perceived barriers and strengthening self-efficacy and health education are recommended to improve OPD utilization and diabetes management outcomes. The study supports the applicability of the Health Belief Model in predicting healthcare utilization in chronic disease management within the Philippine context.