A study on health provider practices and the influencing factors in a primary health care setting in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the range of services provided by the various health providers, to study their criteria for determining fees for the services provided, to understand the barriers in providing the services and to study the factors responsible for their job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in rural areas of Udupi taluk between September 2007 and October 2008 among 150 rural practitioners. Data was collected by interviewing the practitioners using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS 11.5. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Provision of preventive health services and participation in national programmes by the private practitioners was found to be inadequate. Practitioners determine their fees based on the economic status of the patient and the cost of medicines dispensed. Inadequate and irregular income is the major barrier for both government and private sector doctors and most of them were moderately satisfied with their job.