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Barriers for utilization of urban public health services – a community based cross sectional study

Authors:Ujwala U Ukey, Sarita Wadhva Sharma*, Rakesh Waghmare, Ravikant Singh, Sudarshan C Wagh
Int J Biol Med Res. 2021; 12(4): 7393-7396  |  PDF File

Abstract

Background: There are numerous barriers for utilization of public health care services in urban areas. Despite several government initiatives aimed at improving public healthcare services and its utilization, private sector has been a dominant player in most of the Indian states. Aims: To estimate the barriers for utilization of urban public health care facilities as perceived by the study participants. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out in the urban field practice area attached to a medical college. Study tool was a predesigned questionnaire which had questions related to general information of the participants, their perceptions and barriers for utilisation of public health care services. Results: A sample of 139 was covered with age of study participants in the range of 17 to 57 years. Their mean age was 24.59 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 9 years. Lack of personal attention in public health facilities as stated by 69.78% study participants was noted to be the prime problem faced while accessing health care delivery followed by poor sanitation at these facilities as perceived by 64.03 % and lack of modern technology and well furnished rooms as perceived by 58.27%. Conclusion: Based on the perceptions of the study participants, the present study concludes that the common barriers in utilization of public health care facilities are lack of personal attention, poor sanitation, unclean surroundings, lack of modern technology, and lack of well-furnished and equipped rooms.