Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41316236›Full record

SynthesisBMC health services research2025

Health-seeking behavior and healthcare utilization among patients with non-communicable diseases in India: insights from a systematic review.

N Siva, Krishna Kumari Samantaray, K Krishnapriya, Bhanu Priya, N J Vasudevan, Kshirabdhi Tanaya, Sasmita Das, Jyotiranjan Sahoo

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

N SivaDepartment of Child Health Nursing, SUM Nursing College, Shiksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA) University, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
Krishna Kumari SamantarayDepartment of Community Health Nursing, SUM Nursing College, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
K KrishnapriyaDepartment of Community Health Nursing, SUM Nursing College, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Bhanu PriyaDepartment of Medical-Surgical Nursing, SUM Nursing College, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
N J VasudevanDepartment of Emergency Nursing Program, Higher Institute of Health Specialities, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Kshirabdhi TanayaDepartment of Nursing, Labour and Employees State Insurance Department, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
Sasmita DasDepartment of Medical-Surgical Nursing, SUM Nursing College, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. sasmita.snc@soa.ac.in.
Jyotiranjan SahooDepartment of Community Health Medicine, IMS & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of mortality in India, imposing a significant healthcare and economic burden. This study evaluates the health-seeking behaviour, healthcare utilization, and financial impact of major NCDs hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

methodsA systematic search was conducted across global health databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and J-Gate. Simultaneously, searches were performed on Indian databases, journal websites, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2014 and December 2024. A total of 1,462 studies were identified and exported to Rayyan software for screening. Two independent reviewers screened the studies based on predefined eligibility criteria. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist, while data extraction was performed using Cochrane data collection forms. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to heterogeneity in the included studies. This review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

resultsA total of 44 observational survey-based studies were included in this review. Financial constraints, geographical barriers, and awareness gaps influenced healthcare utilization for NCDs. While 60.5% relied on government services for affordability, 39.4% preferred private care for faster access. Out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for hemodialysis and cardiac interventions, posed a major financial burden. Treatment adherence varied by 70.1% among diabetic patients but only 32.4% among hypertensive women. Stockouts of essential medications in public hospitals and high costs of branded drugs in private facilities further restricted access. Emergency care utilisation was high for ischemic heart disease, while CKD patients faced long-term financial strain due to dialysis and frequent hospitalisations. Despite an increase in telemedicine use during COVID-19, accessibility challenges persisted. Systemic inefficiencies, cultural beliefs, and transportation issues further delayed timely care.

conclusionThis review highlights critical gaps in NCD care in India, particularly in treatment adherence, financial accessibility, and healthcare infrastructure. Strengthening public healthcare services, expanding insurance coverage for long-term NCD management, and integrating community-based interventions are key policy directions. Additionally, targeted strategies to improve health literacy and promote early disease detection are essential to improving health outcomes and reducing inequities in NCD care in India.

trial registrationPROSPERO registration number CRD42024576994.

Indexed as

Noncommunicable DiseasesPatient Acceptance of Health CareHumansIndiaHealthcareHealth seekingIndiaNCDsNon-communicable diseaseServiceUtilisation

Identifiers

PMID41316236
PMCPMC12661882

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.