Predictors of Healthcare Utilization among Geriatrics in India: Evidence from National Sample Survey Organization, 2017-18

India has also joined the club of ageing countries in the world with a rapid health transition and experienced demographic ageing. The rapid growth of the older adult population has raised serious concerns about their health and healthcare utilization. However, very limited research has been done on the effects of demographic ageing on health and healthcare utilization. With this perspective, the present study looked at patterns in morbidity prevalence and health-seeking behaviour among older adults in India. The data was used from the National Sample Survey Organization, 75th round (2017-18) government of India. The total sample for the analysis is 1,26,42 older adults aged 60 and above. Univariate, bivariate, and binary logistic regression analysis was employed to understand the effects of socio-demographic conditions on morbidity prevalence among older adults and their healthcare-seeking behaviour. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases were found to be higher (14.4%) than communicable diseases (5.4%), and other morbidities (8.5%) among older adults (>= 60) in India during 2017-18. The prevalence of communicable (6.3%), non-communicable (21.8%), and Other diseases (11.7%) were higher among the oldest-older adults (80 + years) compared to other groups. The prevalence of the non-communicable disease was considerably higher among male older adults as compared to females. The morbidity pattern of older adults varies remarkably across the states of India. More than half of the older adults (54%) visited private health care facilities for seeking their in-patient care. The utilization of private health facilities was higher among male than female older adults in India. The findings of this study are essential in assisting policymakers and healthcare providers in identifying individuals at risk, and might be incorporated into present initiatives for older people's social, economic, and health security.