COMPARING AND CONTRASTING HEALTH BEHAVIOUR WITH ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

Health behaviour and illness behaviour are important areas of investigation in the field of medical sociology. Health behaviour is a kind of health related activity to maintain good health and prevent from potential health hazards whereas illness behaviour is passive or active response to felt or actual health problem. The strands of health behaviour are positive or negative health life styles and risk avoidance whereas the sub-concepts of illness behaviour are health-seeking behaviour, help-seeking behaviour, healthcare seeking or treatment seeking behaviour, the sick role behaviour, and life experiences of living with acute or chronic conditions. Understanding the similarities and differences among these strands or sub-concepts is necessary to use them in health research in their correct original sense.