Community Awareness and Service Delivery Utilisation of Health and Wellness Centres in Tribal District in Chhattisgarh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kiran Bansal, Dikshan Pal Khare, Dr. Priyanka Tiwari

Abstract: Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. The Government of India launched Ayushman Bharat?Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in 2018 to strengthen primary care, aiming to deliver equitable, accessible, and comprehensive services. Despite this effort, disparities in awareness and utilisation remain, particularly in tribal areas. Aim and Objectives: This study assessed community awareness, perception, and utilisation of HWCs in a tribal district of Chhattisgarh, aiming to inform strategies for improved service delivery and engagement. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2025 in three randomly selected villages of Jashpur district. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, 351 adult residents were interviewed. Data were analysed using SPSS v26 to generate descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 351 participants, 90% (n=316) belonged to Scheduled Tribes, and 62.4% (n=219) were uneducated. While 65.8% (n=231) had attended HWC awareness sessions, only 27.6% (n=97) had used HWC services in the past three months, primarily for NCD-related care (38, 39.2%). Community Health Officers were present in 65.9% (n=64) of visits, and 97.9% (n=95) of patients received medicines. Satisfaction was moderate (58, 59.8%), with trust in CHOs expressed by 66% (n=64) of participants. Conclusion: Addressing gaps in trust, perceived service adequacy, and outreach could enhance HWC?s service delivery utilization.

Keywords: Health and Wellness Centres, Primary Health Care, Tribal Population, Community Awareness, Service Utilisation, Chhattisgarh

How to Cite?: Kiran Bansal, Dikshan Pal Khare, Dr. Priyanka Tiwari, "Community Awareness and Service Delivery Utilisation of Health and Wellness Centres in Tribal District in Chhattisgarh: A Cross-Sectional Study", Volume 14 Issue 7, July 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1201-1206, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25717163503, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25717163503