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while in Tangail, both husband and wife jointly decide in 66% of households. Meherpur shows a different
trend, with 89% of households making decisions together and 8.3% having the wife as the decision maker.

I. Decision Makers in The Households By Sex

Among 440 respondents, the healthcare decision-maker in most households is male (87.7%), with
only 12% being female decision-makers. This pattern is consistent in Dhaka (83%), Tangail (94.3%), and
Meherpur (90.9%). However, Dhaka shows a slightly higher percentage of female decision-makers (17%),
compared to Tangail (5.7%) and Meherpur (8.2%).

Figure 08: Healthcare decision maker in the households by sex and locations

5. Discussion, Recommendations and Conclusion

5.1 Discussions

The research provides significant insights into the healthcare-related aspects of households in Dhaka,
The study highlights key discussions on household profiles, expenditure status, health insurance coverage,
and health-seeking behaviour in Dhaka, Tangail, and Meherpur. Household sizes typically range from 3
to 5 members, with spousal education playing a significant role. Expenditure analysis reveals food expenses
as the largest portion (39.96%) of household income. However, health insurance coverage remains limited,
with only 6.1% of households having insurance, rising to 22.6% in Tangail. There is a desire for
comprehensive disease coverage, including COVID-19-related conditions, but awareness about health
insurance is lacking in many households. Strategic recommendations include promoting financial literacy,
tailored insurance products, and embracing telehealth services to improve healthcare accessibility. Inclusive
decision-making and affordable treatment costs are vital to promote financial inclusion in healthcare for
these households.