Demographic and Socio-economic Conditions of the Patients of the Primary Health Care Centers in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India

Healthcare facilities, in relation to various social, economic, and environmental factors as observed for different PHC centers in Madurai district, and also on studying each PHC and its role on environment-health relationship about the spatial distribution of PHCs and health care needs of the population. The study focuses on health facilities with various social, economic, and environmental factors at different Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. It aims to explore each PHC's role in the relationship between ecological health and spatial distribution of PHCs, as well as the healthcare needs of the population. The study area is Madurai district in Tamil Nadu. The main objectives of the study are: To analyze the spatial distribution of health facilities in the Madurai district. To assess the socio-economic conditions of the patients. The study utilizes both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data was collected using a random sampling technique across all 13 blocks of Madurai district. A total of about 600 respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire method. Descriptive statistical techniques were used, along with spatial analysis techniques, to identify the proximity of health centers. The study describes patients' perceptions and their socio-economic conditions. Findings indicate that the spatial distribution of health centers in PHCs generally meets local population needs, but healthcare accessibility remains a challenge due to disparities in access and infrastructure. Socio-economic factors, patient movement patterns, and poor personal hygiene contribute to higher disease prevalence. To improve healthcare accessibility, future research should focus on enhancing health education, filling health educator positions, and exploring strategies to improve infrastructure and service delivery at PHCs.