Understanding community needs: Comprehensive analysis of the family adoption program conducted in coastal region of South India

Background: The Family Adoption Program (FAP), launched by the National Medical Commission, is a community-based initiative aimed at enhancing medical student’s understanding of rural health. The program fosters both academic and social impact by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aimed to assess the socio-demographic profile, burden of chronic illnesses and healthcare-seeking patterns related to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) among families enrolled in FAP in a rural area of South India. Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across eight villages in selected taluk of Udupi district, Karnataka chosen by feasibility and convenience sampling. Second-year MBBS students revisited the families they were assigned in their first year. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire covering demographics, chronic disease prevalence and healthcare preferences. Analysis was performed using SPSS version16. Results: Among 696 households surveyed, covering 3364 individuals, 98% response rate, approximately 21.3% reported at least one chronic illness, hypertension (13.9%) and diabetes (10.8%) being the most common. Multivariate analysis showed age more than 45 years (AOR: 13.25, 95% CI: 9.89–17.72), illiterates (AOR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.48–2.38) as significant independent predictors for the presence of chronic illness. Preference for private healthcare facilities, especially for cancer and cardiovascular diseases, with over 90% of such patients seeking care in the private sector. Conclusions: FAP not only strengthens student learning through community engagement but also offers critical insights into rural health trends. The study highlights the dual challenge of rising NCD burden and underutilization of public healthcare services in rural regions.