Morbidity Pattern of Hospitalization and Associated Out of Pocket Expenditure: Evidence From Nsso (2017-2018)

Abstract

In 2018, according to the National Sample Survey Report, the number of cases of hospitalization per 1000 persons in 365 days was 29 in India (26 per 1000 in rural and 34 per 1000 in urban areas). Between 2004 and 2014, for example, the average medical expenditure per hospitalization for urban patients increased by about 176%, and for rural patients, it jumped by a little over 160%. Most of these hospitalizations are for infections, but a significant number also for treatment for cancer and blood-related diseases. The increase in access to healthcare has also brought with it a massive spike in costs. India is rapidly undergoing an epidemiological transition with a sudden change in the disease profile of its population. This study aimed to analyze hospitalization due to different factors like age and morbidity and its effect on health care utilization from nationally representative data from 2018 among the total population of India. 75th round of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) conducted in July 2017- June 2018 has been used to examine what are the determinant factors that affect the hospitalization and mean monthly disease-specific expenditure in the different age group populations in India. We have used cross-tabulation to understand the association between morbidity patterns and healthcare utilization with other socio-demographic variables. A set of logistic regression analyses was carried out to understand the role of age patterns on hospitalization. A log-linear regression model was used to understand the significant predictors of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE).