The Impact of Socio-Economic and Demographic Factors on Health Seeking Behavior of Urban Households, Bangladesh

Abstract

Aim: As households’ health-seeking behavior depends enormously on socio-economic and demographic factors particularly in developing county like Bangladesh, it contributes differently to health-care seeking behavior varying household to household. This study intends to explore the nature of the health seeking behavior of urban residents in Sylhet city through assessing the socio-economic and socio-demographic factors. Subject and Methods: A 150 household survey has been completed in Sylhet city, using a multistage cluster sampling method. A household survey questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and socio-economic factors and their impacts on health-seeking behavior. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis investigate the extent of association between different socio-economic and demographic factors and health-seeking behavior. Results: We found that among the 150 participants, the majority (88%) of household heads are male because gender is significantly associated with priority in choosing health care in the study. The result of binary logistic regression indicates the households who have a minimum level of education (primary or above) are 10.617 more likely to use public health care facilities. Income is statistically associated with the main source of health service. The interference of income in seeking treatment has a relationship with the employment sectors (public or private). Moreover, the reasons for choosing a specific source of health care have a significant relationship with the main source of health care (public or private). Conclusion: This study recommends that government should introduce health insurance policy for city dwellers for reducing the inequalities in health services among city dwellers.

COVID-19 infections, hospital admissions and mortality outcomes: the associated risk factors among private medical insurance beneficiaries

“…Studies have shown that highincome earners are more likely than low-income earners to seek health care early, particularly where there is no universal health care coverage. 27 As found in other studies, infection risks are also associated with the occupation. In Wave 1, the risk of infection was significantly higher in the so-called first-line workers, including in Health, Education, Police Services and Correctional Services.…”