Patterns and Determinants of Health Service Utilization among Youths in Varanasi: A Hospital-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Youths represent a critical segment of the population whose health service utilization patterns significantly influence public health outcomes. Understanding factors that determine their use of health services is vital for designing youth-cantered healthcare strategies, especially in the Indian context where data on this topic remain limited. Objectives: To assess the pattern of health service utilization—preventive, curative, and emergency—among youths attending a tertiary care hospital in Varanasi and to identify the socio-demographic determinants influencing their healthcare utilization. Methods: A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 youths aged 16–24 years attending the Adolescent Centre OPD at Sir Sundarlal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, from January to February 2024. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a pretested structured interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, in SPSS. Results: Among the respondents, preventive health service utilization was reported by 26.5%, while curative and emergency service utilization were 60.7% and 12.8%, respectively. Preventive utilization showed significant associations with age (χ² =15.142, p= 0.001), education (χ² =35.346, p<0.001), and socio-economic class    (χ²=13.373, p=0.010). Curative utilization was significantly associated with status (χ²=69.283, p<0.001), age (χ²=16.840, p<0.001), marital status (χ² = 8.654, p = 0.003), education (χ²=17.608, p=0.001), and socio-economic class (χ² = 13.151, p=0.011). Emergency utilization showed a significant association only with marital status (χ² = 5.060,                      p=0.024). While general online health information seeking did not show a significant association with utilization, recent searches (within 15 days) were linked with higher preventive service use. Conclusion: The study highlights that age, education, and socio-economic status are key determinants of health service utilization among youths. Preventive and curative care use increases with higher education and economic status, whereas emergency care remains limited. Although most youths actively seek health information online, the impact on healthcare use appears limited unless the information is accessed recently. Strengthening youth-friendly health education, promoting preventive services, and integrating digital health initiatives could enhance healthcare utilization among young populations.