A study to assess the economic burden faced by rural households due to Out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare in Uttar Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka.

Background And Purpose: Various studies reveal that in India more than 80 percent of health care financing is mainly in the form of out-of-pocket (OOP). As a felt need, this study was conducted with the objectives to assess the economic burden faced by rural households due to out-of-pocket payments.

Material And Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 2 years among 550 households in the rural areas of Uttar Kannada and Udupi districts.