Determinants of Choice of Healthcare Services Utilization: Empirical Evidence from India

Background: In order to improve the condition of the health care services in India, public healthcare services can play a very important role. However, the domination of private health care services and low utilization of public healthcare services in India is a matter of concern for the policy makers. Objective: The objective of the present study is to examine the determinants that lead an individual to choose between public and private healthcare service providers in India. Methods: For this purpose, a national level health survey data National Family Health Survey - 3 (NFHS - 3) is used. The determinants considered are age, gender, education, income, access, caste, marital status and exposure to mass media. Logistic regression analyses are carried out. Total, urban and rural samples are studied separately. Results: Findings reveal that people with increasing age, females, lower income group people, uneducated, weaker sections of society and those having access to primary public health care are more likely to utilize public healthcare services as compared to private ones in India. Conclusion: The government and policy makers should keep these findings in perspective to improve utilization of public healthcare services.