New Delhi, March 21 (LatestNewsX.com): According to a recent study by healthcare platform Practo, Indian women are demonstrating a proactive approach to their healthcare needs, with a 23% increase in consultations compared to the prior year.
The study analyzed data from 78,000 women users and found that mental health and oncology were the two fastest-growing fields, with YoY increases of 66% and 96%, respectively.
Mental Health
The study found that younger women were seeking out mental health consultations more frequently than their older counterparts. Women under 35 accounted for the majority of mental health consultations, especially for psychotherapy, psychiatry, and psychology.
The age-wise break-up of mental health consultations by women in 2022 showed that women aged 18-24 saw a 59% growth in consultations YoY, while women aged 25-34 saw a 38% increase. Women aged 35-44 saw a 23% growth, and those aged 45-64 saw a 15% increase.
Withdrawal symptoms, suicidal behavior, stress, panic, PTSD, eating disorders, drug abuse, and alcoholic addiction were the most commonly discussed concerns during mental health consultations.
Oncology
The study also found that the majority of women seeking consultations for oncology were aged between 25-34. The age-wise break-up of oncology consultations by women in 2022 showed that women aged 25-44 accounted for the maximum growth, with women aged 25-34 seeing a 118% growth in consultations YoY and women aged 35-44 seeing a 108% increase. Women aged 45+ saw a 21% growth in consultations.
Overall, young women in their 20s and 30s accounted for the majority of consultations across specialties. Users in the age group of 25-34 years contributed to 65% of consultations done by women, followed by those between 35-44 years (21%), 18-24 years (8%), and 45-54 years (3%), and women aged 55 and above (2%).
The highest growth in consultations was also seen among young women, with women aged 18-24 growing at 56%, followed by those aged 25-34 at 23% and 35-44 at 15%.
Top 5 Specialties Consulted by Women
The top 5 specialties consulted by women in 2022 were gynecology (16%), dermatology (10%), general physician (8%), dentist and pediatrician (both at 5% each).
Insights from Practo
Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer at Practo, commented on these insights, saying, “In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of younger women seeking mental health support, and this trend warrants attention and action.
As a community, we have to recognize this and provide support and foster overall well-being.” He went on to say that Practo is committed to making mental health services easily accessible through their healthcare services, with thousands of mental health specialists available to patients.
Dr. Rajiv Nandy, Clinical Psychologist and Chairman of the Shristi Child Development & Learning Institute, spoke about the trend, saying, “Acceptance and awareness has been the most fundamental driving force of this change.
Women today are more educated, more aware of themselves and their role in society. They definitely have the ability to recognize when something is not right and seek help.”
Practo’s insights reports provide valuable information about important ailments and consultation-related trends in the country. The information is anonymized, aggregated, and analyzed at scale. With more and more women seeking consultations for their healthcare needs, it
