SynthesisBMC health services research2024
Health seeking behaviours and private sector delivery of care for non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 13 citations in OpenAlex.
- Health-seeking behavior and healthcare utilization among patients with non-communicable diseases in India: insights from a systematic review.BMC health services research · 2025Pooled it
- A cluster-randomized trial of labelled cash transfers for uptake of care for chronic conditions among middle-aged and older adults in Burkina Faso.Nature human behaviour · 2026Trial
- Evaluation and Comparison of Antibiotic Prescribing Practices and Treatment Outcomes in Children with Pneumonia Admitted to Public and Private Hospitals in Pakistan: A Retrospective Study.Journal of epidemiology and global health · 2026Observational
- Co-creation, co-design or co-production? Reflections on the development of urban health systems implementation strategies to improve access and quality of primary healthcare services in Bangladesh, Ghana, Nepal and Nigeria.Health research policy and systems · 2026Article
- Article
- Determinants of outpatient healthcare-seeking behaviors among the rural poor affected by chronic conditions in India: a population-based cross-sectional study in seven states.Global health action · 2025Article
- Improving the quality of chronic care through purchasing arrangements in resource-constrained settings: insights from an international Delphi survey.Global health action · 2025Article
- Enhancing healthcare utilization and reducing preventable hospitalizations: exploring the healthcare-seeking propensity of patients with non-communicable diseases in Rural China.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Economic and healthcare influences on circulatory diseases in Kazakhstan: a retrospective ecological study.Journal of health, population, and nutrition · 2024Article
- The gender gap in outpatient care for non-communicable diseases in Mexico between 2006 and 2022.Global health research and policy · 2024Article
- Social and Behavioral Determinants of Healthcare-Seeking and Satisfaction Among Rural Adults in Bangladesh: A Propensity Score Analysis.Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financingArticle
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundGlobally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity placing a huge burden on individuals, families and health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This rising disease burden calls for policy responses that engage the entire health care system. This study aims to synthesize evidence on how people with NCDs choose their healthcare providers in LMICs, and the outcomes of these choices, with a focus on private sector delivery.
methodsA systematic search for literature following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. We extracted and synthesised data on the determinants and outcomes of private health care utilisation for NCDs in LMICs. A quality and risk of bias assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
resultsWe identified 115 studies for inclusion. Findings on determinants and outcomes were heterogenous, often based on a particular country context, disease, and provider. The most reported determinants of seeking private NCD care were patients having a higher socioeconomic status; greater availability of services, staff and medicines; convenience including proximity and opening hours; shorter waiting times and perceived quality. Transitioning between public and private facilities is common. Costs to patients were usually far higher in the private sector for both inpatient and outpatient settings. The quality of NCD care seems mixed depending on the disease, facility size and location, as well as the aspect of quality assessed.
conclusionGiven the limited, mixed and context specific evidence currently available, adapting health service delivery models to respond to NCDs remains a challenge in LMICs. More robust research on health seeking behaviours and outcomes, especially through large multi-country surveys, is needed to inform the effective design of mixed health care systems that effectively engage both public and private providers.
trial registrationPROSPERO registration number CRD42022340059 .
Indexed as
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.