Health-care seeking and expenditure by young Indian mothers in the public and private sectors

Abstract

A total of 421 young married mothers in Karnataka State, India, were followed up at monthly intervals for 1 year. Results are presented on self-reported morbidity, treatment-seeking behaviour and health expenditures. A total of 911 completed illness episodes were reported, of which 58% resulted in consultations with practitioners, mostly working in the private sector. Amongst those who did consult physicians, an average of 1.76 visits was made per episode. The average cost per visit was 46 Rupees and 38 Rupees, for private and public-sector consultations respectively. The overall mean annual expenditure on treatment and associated costs for the entire sample was 172 Rupees, of which 104 Rupees was spent on private-sector treatment. Poorer women reported significantly more days of morbidity than richer women but spent significantly less per 100 days of illness.