Publication:

Addressing healthcare gaps in rural India: a cross-sectional study of patient concerns at a medical camp in Gujarat

Background Rural regions of Gujarat, India faces significant healthcare challenges due to limited provider access, financial constraints and transportation barriers. Medical camps serve underserved populations, but data on presenting concerns remain limited.

Methods A cross-sectional chart review was conducted at a free medical camp in Ahwa, Gujarat. Data collected included demographics, diagnoses, medications and anthropometric measures. A scoliosis screening was also performed in children aged 10–13 years.

Results Of 786 patients, 646 met inclusion criteria (mean age 34.2 years; 56.4% female). Musculoskeletal conditions were most common (32.1%), followed by dermatologic (23.5%) and respiratory conditions (22.1%). Low back pain and knee pain predominated. Oral analgesics (31.0%) and multivitamins (18.7%) were most frequently prescribed. Among adults, 24.5% were overweight and 8.2% obese, while 20.2% of children were underweight. No scoliosis cases were identified.

Conclusions Musculoskeletal, dermatologic and respiratory conditions represent primary healthcare needs in rural Gujarat. Coexisting adult overweight/obesity and pediatric undernutrition highlight the need for targeted interventions. These findings support integrating primary care, preventive education and low-cost treatment strategies into rural health programs.