Department of Sociology, Maulana Azad College, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
Bethune College, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
Int J Health Plann Manage. 2020 Nov;35(6):1438-1452. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3043. Epub 2020 Sep 3.
The aim of universal access to health care for most of the developing countries seems more challenging nowadays with rapid urbanization. We analyzed the health seeking behavior, as an indicator of the health access situation, its determinants and equitability among slum vs non-slum population in Kolkata. Public hospitals, found to be preferred by less-educated and uninsured people and provided cheaper service, although struggled with high indirect-costs and access barriers. People with high opportunity cost and higher social background were found to be more serious about treatment. However, the slum and non-slum people did not differ significantly in their health-seeking behaviour. A strengthened public health system with reduced access barrier is recommended.
如今，随着城市化进程的加速，大多数发展中国家实现全民医疗保健的目标似乎更加具有挑战性。我们分析了卫生服务利用行为（作为卫生服务可及性状况的指标）及其决定因素，以及在加尔各答的贫民窟和非贫民窟人口中的公平性。公立医院被发现更受教育程度较低和没有保险的人群的青睐，提供更便宜的服务，尽管存在高昂的间接成本和准入障碍。机会成本较高和社会背景较高的人被发现对治疗更为重视。然而，贫民窟和非贫民窟人群在卫生服务利用行为上没有显著差异。建议建立一个强化的公共卫生系统，减少准入障碍。
