摘要："Introduction: Health status of infants is considered as a proxy measure of socio-economic development of a nation. Although infants form a vulnerable group in any population, very few studies examined expenditure for healthcare in India in this group. Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was con-ducted among households giving history of illnesses among child up to one year (i.e. born between 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2013) in selected four villages of rural Pondicherry during May-June 2013. Total 187 households were interviewed after obtaining written consent using a pre-designed questionnaire by house to house visit by the investigators. Results: The mean direct expenditure incurred for an episode of illness was Rs.383.33±1608.18 and Rs. 508.81± 1627.09 for episodes leading to hospitalisation and non hospitalisation respectively. Mean indirect expenditure for hospitalisation and non hospitalisation episodes were Rs. 716.67±686.47 and 216.56±231.49. Whereas total expenditures incurred hospitalisation and non hospitalisation episodes were Rs.2100±1594.71 and Rs. 755.78±1716.03 respectively. Proportion of out-of-pocket expenditure was 61.0%. Private health facilities were preferred for treatment. Conclusions: In the study area, more than half of the households in rural Pondicherry are making out of pocket expenditure on illnesses during infancy. "
关键词：Out-of pocket expenditure; Infant; Rural Community
