Structural quality of healthcare facilities in India
Armenta, B. A., Rathi, N., Assasnik, N., & Kamimura, A. (2018). Structural quality of healthcare facilities in India. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 31(6), 483-488.
Purpose
Although India has a number of health issues, the healthcare facilities in India are
insufficient due to poor quality of care. The purpose of this paper is to examine
the factors affecting the structural quality of healthcare facilities in India.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used the medical facility data from the India Human Development Survey-II,
2011–2012 (ICPSR 36151) (n=4,218). Logistic regression was conducted to predict structural
quality of healthcare facilities.
Findings
The results suggest that it is difficult to have all standard resources available
at health care facilities in India. Surprisingly, having a drinking water source inside
the health facility appears to be an indicator of poor structural quality of health
care facilities. Having a water source inside a health care facility is associated
with not having a separate exam room and not having a sink to wash hands. A higher
registration fee was associated with good structural quality and with having a separate
exam room and having a sink to wash hands.
Originality/value
This study shows the complexity of providing quality health care to the poor, particularly
in developing countries. Research on quality of healthcare facilities in India is
needed to improve the health of the population. Little research has been done on the
factors influencing the structural quality of the healthcare facilities in India.
This study is an important contribution to the current knowledge of structural healthcare
facility standards and its influences in India.