Gender Differences in Perception and Care-seeking for Illness of Newborns in Rural Uttar Pradesh, India

Authors

  • Jeffrey R Willis International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
  • Vishwajeet Kumar International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
  • Saroj Mohanty Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, King George Medical University, Lucknow
  • Pramod Singh Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, King George Medical University, Lucknow
  • Vivek Singh Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, King George Medical University, Lucknow
  • Abdullah H Baqui 1International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
  • Shally Awasthi Department of Pediatrics, King George Medical University, Lucknow
  • JV Singh Department of Pediatrics, King George Medical University, Lucknow
  • Mathuram Santosham International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
  • Gary L Darmstadt International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v27i1.3318

Keywords:

Healthcare-seeking behaviour, Equity, Gender, Health expenditure, Healthcare-use, Neonatal health, Perceptions, Rural health, India

Abstract

Although gender-based health disparities are prevalent in India, very little data are available on care-seeking patterns for newborns. In total, 255 mothers were prospectively interviewed about their perceptions and action surrounding the health of their newborns in rural Uttar Pradesh, India. Perception of illness was significantly lower in incidence (adjusted odds ratio=0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.33-0.94) among households with female versus male newborns. While the overall use of healthcare providers was similar across gender, the average expenditure for healthcare during the neonatal period was nearly four-fold higher in households with males (Rs 243.3±537.2) compared to females (Rs 65.7±100.7) (p=0.07). Households with female newborns used cheaper public care providers whereas those with males preferred to use private unqualified providers perceived to deliver more satisfactory care. These results suggest that, during the neonatal period, care-seeking for girls is neglected compared to boys, laying a foundation for programmes and further research to address gender differences in neonatal health in India.

Key words: Healthcare-seeking behaviour; Equity; Gender; Health expenditure; Healthcare-use; Neonatal health; Perceptions; Rural health; India

doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v27i1.3318

J Health Popul Nutr 2009 Feb;27(1):62-71

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Author Biography

Gary L Darmstadt, International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore

Dr. Gary L. Darmstadt
Department of International Health, E8153
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD 21205
USA
Email: gdarmsta@jhsph.edu
Fax: 410-614-1419
Cover JHPN Vol.27(1)

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How to Cite

Willis, J. R., Kumar, V., Mohanty, S., Singh, P., Singh, V., Baqui, A. H., Awasthi, S., Singh, J., Santosham, M., & Darmstadt, G. L. (2009). Gender Differences in Perception and Care-seeking for Illness of Newborns in Rural Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 27(1), 62–71. https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v27i1.3318

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Original Papers