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Socioeconomic and demographic correlates of medical care and health practices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

P. S. S. Rao
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
J. Richard
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

Summary

Using a two-stage stratified sampling procedure, a representative random sample of 1021 rural families in North Arcot District of Tamil Nadu State in South India was studied to determine the inter-relationships of utilization of medical care and health behaviour with social, demographic and economic factors. The research was directed towards a better understanding of how medical and social deprivations are connected in a rural setting of India. Distance from a town, education, and accessibility of medical facilities seem to play a prominent role in the various decision-making processes of the family in utilization of the best available health care and in improving their health status. The policy implications arising from this study are outlined.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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