Out of Pocket Spending for Natal Care Services:A Comparative Analysis among High and Less developed States in India

In this paper attempt is made to assess the expenditure incurred on natal health care services in India at two different socio-economic settings. Data for the analyses are drawn from the 71st round of NSSO held in 2014. A logistic regression model used to assess the determinants such as socio-economic and demographic indicators on expenditure incurred for natal care services. It is found that a major proportion of respondents spent money for their natal care however a wide difference was noticed between high and low HDI states in India. The average amount spent from their pockets for natal care services was Rs.6,685/- for high HDI states. It was almost double times higher than the low HDI sates’ expenditure incurred for natal care (Rs. 3,400). The results of the logistic regression analysis on expenditure incurred for natal care is positively and significantly associated with all the socio-economic, demographic variables (except age, religion). In India, the natal health care services are offered free, yet many families’ average out of pocket natal health care expenditure incurred was relatively high, however, a wide variation is witnessed among high and low HDI states. Hence, it is suggested to increase the share of state’s expenditure on healthcare, especially those states which are socially and economically backward states, to reduce the state differences in the country on health outcomes.