Socio-economic differences in cost of pregnancy-related health services in the peri-urban Accra, Ghana.
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND Financial and physical barriers are known to limit access to maternal health services in developing countries. These limitations are often compounded by the low socio-economic status of women. This study examined socio-economic differences in health services cost incurred by pregnant women. METHODS A cross-sectional cost survey of 300 women who had delivered a live birth in the last 12 months was undertaken. RESULTS Majority of the women were aged between 20 and 39 years. About 63% of the women claimed they were registrants of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). However, only 64% of them provided valid NHIS identification cards. There were relatively more insured women in the rich quintiles (44%) compared with insured women in the poor quintiles (33%). Generally, women who were in the rich quintile incurred the highest average medical and non-medical costs, spent the highest time prior to service provision and lost the highest average incomes. CONCLUSIONS Women socio-economic differences play a critical role in access to health services. We recommend that awareness campaigns on the NHIS must be intensified. The Ghana Health Services through its Community-based Health Planning Service should carefully structure its home visits to cover education on pregnancy-related health services.
منابع مشابه
Operationalization of the Ghanaian Patients’ Charter in a Peri-urban Public Hospital: Voices of Healthcare Workers and Patients
Background Health is a basic human right necessary for the exercise of other human rights. Every human being is, therefore, entitled to the highest possible standard of health necessary to living a life of dignity. Establishment of patients’ Charter is a step towards protecting the rights and responsibilities of patients, but violation of patients’ rights is common in healthcare institutions, e...
متن کاملThe influence of socio-cultural interpretations of pregnancy threats on health-seeking behavior among pregnant women in urban Accra, Ghana
BACKGROUND Although antenatal care coverage in Ghana is high, there exist gaps in the continued use of maternity care, especially utilization of skilled assistance during delivery. Many pregnant women seek care from different sources aside the formal health sector. This is due to negative perceptions resulting from poor service quality experiences in health facilities. Moreover, the socio-cultu...
متن کاملInfluential Factors in the Treatment Outcomes of Tuberculosis in Directly Observed Therapy at the La General Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Background: Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, especially Ghana. Despite the current treatments for tuberculosis, positive treatment outcomes are not attainable due to the differences in the socio-economic and bio-psychological status of the patients. The present study aimed to assess the influential factors in the treatment outcomes of tuberculosis. Methods: T...
متن کاملVolunteering for Health Services in the Middle Part of Ghana: In Whose Interest?
Background In many developing countries like Ghana, community volunteers assist in the provision of certain health services to rural and hard-to-reach communities. This study examined factors that influence the motivation and retention of community-based volunteers supporting with work on health-related activities at the community level in Ghana. Methods Using a sequential mixed-method design...
متن کاملPredictors of Patient Satisfaction With Quality of Healthcare in University Hospitals in Ghana
Background: For over 2 decades, Ghana’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has been resolved to continuously improve the quality of healthcare in a cost-effective manner. Strategies have been adopted to enhance client satisfaction with healthcare services and delivery.Objective: The current study examined patient satisfaction with the quality of healthcare in Ghana...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Journal of public health
دوره 37 3 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2015