Health seeking behaviour in four Indian States

Project Details

We propose 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 Tamil Nadu.

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 analysis of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh will provide a baseline for health system interventions yet to be introduced, that seek to strengthen elements such as public primary care. Evidence from future repeat analyses may suggest that change in health seeking behaviour patterns is consistent with effective health system development.

We will explore:

  1. What factors are associated with (a) the decision to use medical care and (b) the choice among available medical providers?
  2. What are the health expenditure consequences of both decisions, and with respect to CHE and IHE?
  3. What are the earnings (wages and other sources of income of households) consequences of both decisions?
  4. What are the patterns of resort (what are the common pathways between providers and provider type including primary and higher levels; public and private; qualified and unqualified) in relation to a chronic condition common among adults, an acute condition common among children, and gynaecological problems among women?

Researchers

Professor Barbara McPake  
Professor Sumit Kane  
Professor Ajay Mahal

Collaborators

National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER)
The Population Council

Funding

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Research Outcomes

Download our papers

Is there an association between public spending on health and choice of healthcare providers across socioeconomic groups in India? - Evidence from a national sample.

Health seeking pathways in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, India

Research Publications

Ghosh PK, Kane S, Kumar S, Ali SZ, Sahu S, Sanyal S, Chowdhury M, McPake B, Mahal M. Health seeking pathways in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, India. National Council of Applied Economic Research and Nossal Institute For Global Health, Melbourne. 2021.

Mulcahy P, Mahal A, McPake B, Kane S, Ghosh PK, Lee JT. Is there an association between public spending on health and choice of healthcare providers across socioeconomic groups in India? - Evidence from a national sample. Soc Sci Med. 2021 Sep;285:114149

Download Research Publication [PDF]

Research Group

Social & Cultural Dimensions of Health Systems


School Research Themes

Prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (including cancer), and promotion of mental health, Disparities, disadvantage and effective health care, Data science, health metrics and disease modeling



Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Nossal Institute for Global Health

MDHS Research library
Explore by researcher, school, project or topic.