Accessibility and utilisation of health services in Ghana

The thesis examines the factors that impact on access and utilisation of health services in Ghana. The utilisation behaviour of residents of a typical urban and a typical rural district are used as representing the entire Ghanaian experience. Literature has demonstrated the dichotomy in utilisation between rural and urban areas, with urban residents having advantage over rural. It also shows that in developing countries, such as Ghana, need (health status) is not as significant as predisposing, enabling and restrictive factors in determining utilisation. Women are at a disadvantage, implying gender inequity, whilst health insurance has a strong positive effect on utilisation. Empirical data from the study area confirm the theoretical foundations. Quantitative analyses are made, supported by a few qualitative methods, whilst empirical papers dominate the thesis.