Role of awareness, support systems, and sociodemographic factors in determining utilization of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana among beneficiaries in Gujarat, India
- 1Department of Social Work, Sardar Patel University
- 2Department of Statistics, Sardar Patel University
- 3Department of Economics, Sardar Patel University
Abstract
Background Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the carefully designed health insurance scheme for about 107.4 million of the poorest and most vulnerable Indian families, has the potential to address their secondary and tertiary health care needs. However, there is wide variation in the uptake of this program across geographical and socio-demographic landscapes which limit equitable access to healthcare. Objectives of the study This study examined how socio-demographic variables, awareness levels among potential beneficiaries, and community-level support mechanisms in three districts of Gujarat, India, influence utilization trends of AB-PMJAY. Methods Building on these objectives, the researchers conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 1,152 eligible beneficiaries selected through multistage random sampling from three districts of Gujarat. Data on awareness, enrolment, support systems, and PMJAY utilization were collected using structured interviews. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed among 588 beneficiaries who required hospitalization or treatment to identify independent predictors of PMJAY utilization. Results Among beneficiaries requiring hospitalization or treatment, higher awareness and stronger community support systems were independently associated with significantly greater utilization of AB-PMJAY services, whereas socio-demographic characteristics were not significant predictors after adjustment. These findings highlight the importance of information dissemination and local support mechanisms in improving effective utilization of the scheme. Conclusion The study identifies specific policy actions needed to improve AB-PMJAY utilization: increase beneficiary awareness, strengthen community support systems, and community-based implementation support to improve equitable access to healthcare.
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BibTeX
@article{thomas2026role,
title = {{Role of awareness, support systems, and sociodemographic factors in determining utilization of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana among beneficiaries in Gujarat, India}},
author = {Bigi Thomas and Dharmesh P. Raykundaliya and Sonal Bhatt and Ketal Vadhel},
journal = {Discover Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1186/s12982-026-02971-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02971-2},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Role of awareness, support systems, and sociodemographic factors in determining utilization of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana among beneficiaries in Gujarat, India
AU - Bigi Thomas
AU - Dharmesh P. Raykundaliya
AU - Sonal Bhatt
AU - Ketal Vadhel
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Discover Public Health
DO - 10.1186/s12982-026-02971-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02971-2
AB - Background Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the carefully designed health insurance scheme for about 107.4 million of the poorest and most vulnerable Indian families, has the potential to address their secondary and tertiary health care needs. However, there is wide variation in the uptake of this program across geographical and socio-demographic landscapes which limit equitable access to healthcare. Objectives of the study This study examined how socio-demographic variables, awareness levels among potential beneficiaries, and community-level support mechanisms in three districts of Gujarat, India, influence utilization trends of AB-PMJAY. Methods Building on these objectives, the researchers conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 1,152 eligible beneficiaries selected through multistage random sampling from three districts of Gujarat. Data on awareness, enrolment, support systems, and PMJAY utilization were collected using structured interviews. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed among 588 beneficiaries who required hospitalization or treatment to identify independent predictors of PMJAY utilization. Results Among beneficiaries requiring hospitalization or treatment, higher awareness and stronger community support systems were independently associated with significantly greater utilization of AB-PMJAY services, whereas socio-demographic characteristics were not significant predictors after adjustment. These findings highlight the importance of information dissemination and local support mechanisms in improving effective utilization of the scheme. Conclusion The study identifies specific policy actions needed to improve AB-PMJAY utilization: increase beneficiary awareness, strengthen community support systems, and community-based implementation support to improve equitable access to healthcare.
SN - 3005-0774
ER -