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This article investigates the covariates of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on health care, with a special focus on the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India. These states are economically weaker and vulnerable. For analysis, the study uses a nationally representative database—the India Human Development Survey (IHDS I, 2004–2005 and IHDS II, 2011–2012)—by applying the log-linear regression method. Four regression models have been specified in the article. The pooled regression method is applied to check the robustness of the models. Results identify that factors such as the location of the respondent, education, waiting time in hospitals, household expenditure per capita and the location of the hospital play a significant role in determining the OOPE on health care in India. Among other factors, waiting time in the hospital and the distant treatment location result in higher opportunity costs for better treatment facilities, hence increasing the burden on OOPE. The study concludes with suggestions based on these covariates, especially for the EAG states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health-seeking behavior represents the actions taken to prevent the disease and promote health. It emphasizes both the illness response and the healthcare utilization driven by perceived threat and effectiveness of the preventive behavior. This study aims to scrutinize the progression of research conducted on health-seeking behavior in high-risk period such as COVID-19 using bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric analysis is performed on Scopus and Web of Science databases. Research articles in the English language were extracted using keywords, such as health-seeking behavior and COVID. Eight hundred twenty-five research articles at the final and early publication stage in the English language were extracted from Scopus and 623 from WoS using the keywords Health Seeking Behavior and COVID. Of these, 259 in Scopus and 109 in WoS were selected for the final study following the authors' eligibility criteria. It analyses the research directions, countries of publications, core journals, leading authors and institutions and important publications followed by research trends in this field. It summarizes the academic interest of the researchers in health-seeking behavior in low- and middle-income countries. The paper informs and directs researchers and policymakers on the state of research in health-seeking behavior during high-health risk periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on health care in India is a serious concern hitherto the low level of Government health spending and health pandemics. Personal savings are the only options left to the individual. This paper identifies the role of mass media use on OOPE on health care in India. Methods: The analysis is based on the large scale nationally representative dataset (India Human Development Survey - IHDS – II, 2011-12) using the log-linear ordinary regression and multinomial logit regression models. Conclusions: We observe the U-shaped relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use and health expenditure among Indian households. However, ICT use is corroborated with higher health expenditure since they belong to the higher strata of income quantile. Some specific policy-based recommendations on better dissemination of information through the appropriate use of ICT devices pertaining to health care have been suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the inter‐temporal and spatial variation in credit access to women entrepreneurs in the unorganized sector using two latest rounds of nationally representative datasets on unorganized enterprises in India. The study applies a cross‐sectional distributional check to identify the variations. Probit model with reference category and average marginal effects is used to determine the predictors of access to formal credit (FC). A robustness test has been performed using a pooled probit method. Results are discussed in line with relevant literature as well as empirical findings. The analysis confirms the existence of regional disparities in credit access to women enterprises. Factors like engagement in diversified activities and maintenance of accounting records being registered with relevant authorities have an important bearing on the probabilities to access FC. It is alarming to observe the marginal improvement over 5 years in the credit share of women‐owned unorganized enterprises. Policy shortcomings are discussed on the basis of inferential statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution in households is a prime contributor to health issues in developing countries, as in the case of India. According to the latest National Family Health Survey Report 2022, more than half of India's rural population and 41 per cent overall still depend on solid or unclean fuel combustions, which may reflect in future health hazards. Thus, it is crucial to understand the issue empirically. To that end, the study traces the transitional pattern of unclean cooking fuel users towards clean fuel over the last 30 years using responses from all five National Family Health Survey rounds. Further, the study uses an adjusted probit model to analyse the determinants that lead to the choice of cooking fuel in a household and a logistic model to examine the association between the choice made and the respiratory health of children under five. The empirical results show that the number of households using unclean fuel has declined over the years, with a slightly higher decline in the last five years. Moreover, it also shows that poverty status and place of residence significantly influence cooking fuel choice. Additionally, children residing in households that use clean fuels are less likely to suffer respiratory infections. In conclusion, the present study provides strong evidence to ameliorate the existing policies in a way that exhorts clean energy use. The authors propose pro-poor, pro-rural policies to expedite the clean energy transition, benefitting the most vulnerable households.