Perceptions of health and healthcare needs in low-resource settings: qualitative insights from Bengaluru's urban slum and rural areas

The study finds that participants defined health as the absence of illness, the ability to work, and the result of a good lifestyle. With regards to healthcare expectations, the analysis shows the themes of the "good doctor," recovering quickly, cost affordability, cleanliness, and emergency services and diagnostic facilities. In addition, stigma related to healthcare, was identified, especially among residents of villages. Participants highlight the importance of good relationships with healthcare providers and accessible healthcare facilities to improve healthcare uptake in Bengaluru's slums and rural areas. This study also shows that achieving universal health coverage requires addressing not only direct costs but also other associated expenses like travel and lost wages, considering healthcare costs as a comprehensive expense tied to patients' living conditions. These results contribute to the growing body of literature on health and healthcare perceptions in low-resource settings, offering insights that may inform future research and context-specific strategies for improving healthcare access and delivery.