Table 3.

Community perspectives on why people preferred PHCs for certain services

Service	Reported reasons for accessing these services at PHCs
Family planning (Tubectomy)	- PHCs had a good reputation historically of doing tubectomy - These services at the PHC were reputed to be even better than that of the private sector, even while costing nothing. (Incentives were given for tubectomy) -Regular camps were held for performing the operations. Women were picked up from their houses, dropped back, and given meals. - PHC doctors were considered as “experts” in conducting the family planning operation since he had a lot of practice. Sometimes additional experts were called in to supervise. -All records on family planning were kept well. - There was no waiting period at the PHC for performing the operation.
Animal bites vaccination	- Things had “always been that way” and everyone today knows that government hospitals are the best place for the treatment of animal bites. -Private practitioners usually did not have the vaccines or the drugs to deal with animal bites; these were available only with the government doctors. Even when people went to private practitioners for the treatment of animal bites, they were directed to the government facilities. -Government hospitals dispensed drugs and vaccinations after animal bites free-of-charge.
Immunization for children and pregnant women	People reported that they did not want to spend money on vaccinating children and pregnant women from the private sector, when it was available free of cost at PHCs, sub centers and during outreach camps. (Immunization was not really a “felt” need of the community, it was just a service that was taken from PHCs.)
Seasonal diseases like Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya	- PHCs were believed to work on preventive issues for the above diseases and people had seen advertisements regarding these diseases at the PHCs - PHC had strong drugs for these diseases, which resulted in quick recovery of patients.