Health seeking behaviour in four Indian States
This study aims to provide an understanding of health seeking behaviour in two States with low levels of health system development: Odisha and Uttar Pradesh; and two with higher levels of health system development: Maharashtra and Punjab.
The study sheds light on the questions of out-of-pocket spending, catastrophic health expenditure and distress financing, and treatment pathways in four states of India - Odisha, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Maharashtra and Punjab. The rationale for this is to better understand the differences between health seeking behaviour in more and less developed health systems at the State level in India, and to sharpen hypotheses about the evolution of health seeking behaviour as health systems develop effectively. The study provides valuable insights for health system interventions yet to be introduced, that seek to strengthen elements such as public primary care, write Barbara McPake, Sumit Kane, Ajay Mahal.
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