Treatment seeking: Is gender still a determining factor in low son preference state of West Bengal, India?

Health care utilization is important factor, which determines the health status and survival chances of children. Girl children suffered more malnutrition and received lesser treatment for various infections especially for diarrheal diseases and for acute-respiratory infection. Where fees are charged or referrals to a higher level of care, families deny these more often in the case of daughters. The study uses primary in 2010, the sample size is 330. The study area comprises of 11 villages from Rajarhat CD block of 24-north Parganas in West Bengal, India. The results show that within three months from the date of survey most of the male and female children suffered from cold and cough, but higher percentage of female children were said to be in severe health condition. For high percentage of male children father and mother were taking active role in seeking medical help as compared to the female children. The time laps in the occurrence of morbidity and treatment was also longer for the female child and the money spent on treatment was less even when severely ill. The distance travel was greater for the female children so that they were taken to the public health facility which was cheaper and lot of time was lost before the treatment was started.