Abstract
They experience a higher burden of certain communicable and non-communicable diseases than the national average and also have poor conditions of healthcare infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the present study aimed to examine the economic burden of healthcare in the Salem District. Specific objectives are firstly to study trends in the utilization of healthcare services in the Salem district and their determinants. Secondly, to analyze the public and private healthcare expenditure pattern in Salem district. Thirdly, to study the healthcare expenditure burden on Salem District households. According to the study's findings, the overall prevalence of the disease has reduced, though the proportion of infectious diseases has remained highest among the prevalent diseases over time. Though reduced over time, the bulk of infectious diseases is still higher in rural areas than urban areas. In contrast, most noncommunicable and other conditions are higher in metropolitan areas than in rural areas. Moreover, the rural-urban gap has reduced over time for infectious diseases and increased for non-communicable and other conditions. Utilizing healthcare services for these diseases has increased for both outpatient and inpatient care in rural and urban areas over time. This study provides some insight into the economic burden of healthcare in Salem District.
Key Words: Economic burden, Non-communicable diseases, Utilization, Healthcare
expenditure.
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