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Kumah E, Asana Y, Agyei SK, Kokuro C, Ankomah SE, Fusheini A. Does health insurance status influence healthcare-seeking behavior in rural communities? evidence from rural Ghana. HEALTH POLICY OPEN 2024; 6:100119. [PMID: 38680189 PMCID: PMC11047188 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpopen.2024.100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction National health insurance programs are considered important mechanisms for ensuring equity in access to and utilization of healthcare services by removing financial barriers associated with seeking treatment in healthcare facilities. Although studies on health insurance schemes in many low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) have demonstrated a significant relationship between health insurance status and healthcare-seeking behavior, data on the influence of this health financing policy on the decision to seek formal healthcare among rural inhabitants remains limited. Underpinned by the Andersen-Newman behavioral model of healthcare use, this study examined the influence of health insurance status on healthcare-seeking behavior among rural dwellers in Ghana. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 rural residents in Ghana from 8th September to 5th December 2022. Chi-square tests were used to study the significance level and association between healthcare-seeking behavior and selected independent variables. A multiple logistic regression model was fitted to test the association between health insurance status and healthcare-seeking behavior, introducing other selected explanatory variables as controls. Results The mean age of the respondents was 29.6 ± 6.8 years. A little above half (53.1 %) disclosed having insurance, whereas 46.1 % stated they were without coverage. Regarding healthcare-seeking behavior, the most commonly chosen treatment source was traditional healers (37.2 %), followed by the public healthcare system (28.3 %) and self-treatment (18.2 %). The private healthcare system was the least preferred, with only 16.3 % opting for it. While the bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between health insurance status and healthcare-seeking behavior (p-0.001), the logistic regression model results showed that health insurance status was not an independent predictor of healthcare-seeking behavior (p = 0.069). Conclusion It could, therefore, not be concluded that the respondents with health insurance coverage were more likely than the uninsured to use formal healthcare providers as their most frequent source of treatment during illness. This study provides vital information for policymakers aiming at increasing access to and utilization of facility-based formal care in rural and remote settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Kumah
- Department of Health Administration and Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Yussif Asana
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Catholic University, Ghana
| | - Samuel Kofi Agyei
- Department of Public Health, Presbyterrian University, Ghana, Asante Akyem Campus, Agogo, Ghana
| | - Collins Kokuro
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Samuel E. Ankomah
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Directorate, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Adam Fusheini
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Gabani J, Suhrcke M, Neelsen S, Eozenou PHV, Smitz MF. Does health aid matter to financial risk protection? A regression analysis across 159 household surveys, 2000-2016. Soc Sci Med 2024; 356:117148. [PMID: 39084173 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a widely accepted objective among entities providing development assistance for health (DAH) and DAH recipient governments. One key metric to assess progress with UHC is financial risk protection, but empirical evidence on the extent to which DAH is associated to financial risk protection (and hence UHC) is scarce. METHODS Our sample is comprised of 65 countries whose DAH per capita is above the population -weighted average DAH per capita across all countries. The sample comprises of 1.7 million household observations, for the period 2000-2016. We run country and year fixed effects regressions, and pseudo-panel models, to assess the association between DAH and three measures of financial risk protection: catastrophic health expenditure (i.e., out-of-pocket health expenditures larger than 10% of total household expenditures ['CHE10%']), out-of-pocket health expenditure as a share of total expenditure ('OOP%'), and impoverishment due to health expenditures, at the 1.90US$ per day poverty line ('IMP190'). RESULTS on average, DAH investment does not appear to be significantly associated with financial risk protection outcomes. However, we find suggestive evidence that a 1 US$ increase in DAH per capita is negatively associated (i.e., an improvement) with at least one financial risk protection outcome for the poorest household quintile within countries (in fixed effects models, IMP190: 0.05 percentage points, p < 0.1; in pseudo-panel models, CHE10%: 0.12 percentage points, p < 0.01). DAH is also negatively associated (i.e., an improvement) with most financial risk protection outcomes when it is largely channelled via government systems (i.e., when it is "on-budget") (CHE10%: 0.68 percentage points, p < 0.05). Several robustness checks confirm these results. DISCUSSION DAH investments require careful planning to improve financial risk protection. For example, positive DAH effects for the poorest quintiles of the population might be driven by DAH targeting poorer populations and doing so effectively. Our results also suggest that channelling more resources via governments might be a promising avenue to enhance the impact of DAH on financial risk protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Gabani
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK; World Bank, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Marc Suhrcke
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK; Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Garg S, Bebarta KK, Tripathi N, Keshri VR. Impact of Government-Funded Health Insurance on Out-of-Pocket Expenditure and Quality of Hospital-Based Care in Indian States of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2024:10.1007/s40258-024-00911-2. [PMID: 39183223 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-024-00911-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With its clear focus on financial protection, government-funded health insurance (GFHI) stands out among the strategies for universal health coverage (UHC) implemented by low-to-middle income countries globally. Since 2018, India has implemented a GFHI programme called the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which covers 500 million individuals. The current study aims to evaluate the performance of GFHI in meeting its key objectives of improving access, quality and financial protection for hospital-based care in two large central Indian states: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. METHODS The study measures access in terms of utilisation of inpatient care. Financial protection was measured in terms of catastrophic health expenditure which was defined as the incidence of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) above thresholds of 10% and 25% of annual household expenditure. Patient-satisfaction with care was taken as an indicator of quality. A household survey was conducted in 2023, covering a multi-stage sample of 11,569 and 12,384 individuals in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively. Multi-variate analyses were conducted to find the effect of GFHI-enrolment on the desired outcomes. The instrumental variable method was applied to address potential endogeneity in insurance enrolment. Additionally, propensity score matching was done to ensure robustness. RESULTS Around 71% and 63% of surveyed individuals were enrolled under GFHI in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively. The hospitalisation rate did not differ much between the GFHI-enrolled and non-enrolled population. The average OOPE on hospitalisation was similar for the GFHI-enrolled and non-enrolled patients. The OOPE and catastrophic health expenditure in private hospitals remained very high, irrespective of GFHI enrolment. The pattern was similar in both states. Multi-variate adjusted models showed that GFHI had no significant effect on utilisation, quality, OOPE and catastrophic health expenditure. The above results were confirmed by propensity score matching. CONCLUSIONS Coverage by GFHI enrolment was ineffective in improving access, quality or financial protection for inpatient hospital care despite 5 years of implementation of the programme. Long-standing supply-side gaps and poor regulation of private providers continue to hamper the effectiveness of GFHI in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Garg
- State Health Resource Centre, Chhattisgarh, Raipur, India
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Muhaidat N, Karmi JA, Karam AM, Abushaikha F, Alshrouf MA. Period poverty, reuse needs, and depressive symptoms among refugee menstruators in Jordan's camps: a cross-sectional study. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:384. [PMID: 38961379 PMCID: PMC11221011 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03193-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Period poverty is a significant issue that impacts the physical and psychological well-being of menstruators worldwide which can further contribute to poor mental health outcomes. For menstruators living in refugee camps, access to menstrual hygiene products is often limited or non-existent, leading to increased anxiety, shame, and embarrassment. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of the period poverty and to comprehensively analyze the association between period poverty, reusing menstrual products, and depressive symptoms among menstruators living in refugee camps in Jordan. METHODS A cross-sectional study surveyed refugee menstruators living in camps in Jordan, aged post-menarche to pre-menopause. Data collection included socio-demographics, menstrual practices, and depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Period poverty was assessed through affordability and frequency of struggles with menstrual products. Chi-squared test, independent sample t-test, One Way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Post hoc, and logistic regression models were used in the analysis. RESULTS The study included a diverse sample of 386 refugee menstruators living in camps in Jordan (mean age 32.43 ± 9.95, age range 13-55). Period poverty was highly prevalent, with 42.0% reporting monthly struggles to afford menstrual products, and 71.5% reusing menstrual products. Univariate analysis revealed that experiencing period poverty was significantly associated with a younger age of marriage, increased number of children, lower education level, lower mother and father education levels, unemployment, decreased monthly income, absence of health insurance, lower reuse need score, and increased PHQ-9 score (p < 0.05). Menstruators experiencing monthly period poverty were 2.224 times more likely to report moderate to severe depression compared to those without period poverty (95% CI 1.069-4.631, P = 0.033). CONCLUSION This study highlights a significant association between period poverty and depressive symptoms among refugee menstruators in living in camps in Jordan, as high rates of period poverty were associated with a 2.2-fold increased likelihood of reporting moderate to severe depression. Addressing period poverty in refugee settings is crucial for mitigating depression risks and enhancing overall well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Muhaidat
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Joud Al Karmi
- The School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | | | - Farah Abushaikha
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
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Bayked EM, Assfaw AK, Toleha HN, Zewdie S, Biset G, Ibirongbe DO, Kahissay MH. Willingness to pay for National Health Insurance Services and Associated Factors in Africa and Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1390937. [PMID: 38706546 PMCID: PMC11066245 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1390937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Universal health coverage (UHC) is crucial for public health, poverty eradication, and economic growth. However, 97% of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly Africa and Asia, lack it, relying on out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure. National Health Insurance (NHI) guarantees equity and priorities aligned with medical needs, for which we aimed to determine the pooled willingness to pay (WTP) and its influencing factors from the available literature in Africa and Asia. Methods Database searches were conducted on Scopus, HINARI, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar from March 31 to April 4, 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI's) tools and the "preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement" were used to evaluate bias and frame the review, respectively. The data were analyzed using Stata 17. To assess heterogeneity, we conducted sensitivity and subgroup analyses, calculated the Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index, and used a random model to determine the effect estimates (proportions and odds ratios) with a p value less than 0.05 and a 95% CI. Results Nineteen studies were included in the review. The pooled WTP on the continents was 66.0% (95% CI, 54.0-77.0%) before outlier studies were not excluded, but increased to 71.0% (95% CI, 68-75%) after excluding them. The factors influencing the WTP were categorized as socio-demographic factors, income and economic issues, information level and sources, illness and illness expenditure, health service factors, factors related to financing schemes, as well as social capital and solidarity. Age has been found to be consistently and negatively related to the WTP for NHI, while income level was an almost consistent positive predictor of it. Conclusion The WTP for NHI was moderate, while it was slightly higher in Africa than Asia and was found to be affected by various factors, with age being reported to be consistently and negatively related to it, while an increase in income level was almost a positive determinant of it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewunetie Mekashaw Bayked
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Kibret Assfaw
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Teachers’ Education and Behavioral Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Husien Nurahmed Toleha
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Segenet Zewdie
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Science, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia
| | - Gebeyaw Biset
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | | | - Mesfin Haile Kahissay
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Kazibwe J, Tran PB, Kaiser AH, Kasagga SP, Masiye F, Ekman B, Sundewall J. The impact of health insurance on maternal and reproductive health service utilization and financial protection in low- and lower middle-income countries: a systematic review of the evidence. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:432. [PMID: 38580960 PMCID: PMC10996233 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low- and middle-income countries have committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) as a means to enhance access to services and improve financial protection. One of the key health financing reforms to achieve UHC is the introduction or expansion of health insurance to enhance access to basic health services, including maternal and reproductive health care. However, there is a paucity of evidence of the extent to which these reforms have had impact on the main policy objectives of enhancing service utilization and financial protection. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the existing evidence on the causal impact of health insurance on maternal and reproductive health service utilization and financial protection in low- and lower middle-income countries. METHODS The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search included six databases: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Scopus as of 23rd May 2023. The keywords included health insurance, impact, utilisation, financial protection, and maternal and reproductive health. The search was followed by independent title and abstract screening and full text review by two reviewers using the Covidence software. Studies published in English since 2010, which reported on the impact of health insurance on maternal and reproductive health utilisation and or financial protection were included in the review. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. RESULTS A total of 17 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies (82.4%, n = 14) were nationally representative. Most studies found that health insurance had a significant positive impact on having at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits, delivery at a health facility and having a delivery assisted by a skilled attendant with average treatment effects ranging from 0.02 to 0.11, 0.03 to 0.34 and 0.03 to 0.23 respectively. There was no evidence that health insurance had increased postnatal care, access to contraception and financial protection for maternal and reproductive health services. Various maternal and reproductive health indicators were reported in studies. ANC had the greatest number of reported indicators (n = 10), followed by financial protection (n = 6), postnatal care (n = 5), and delivery care (n = 4). The overall quality of the evidence was moderate based on the risk of bias assessment. CONCLUSION The introduction or expansion of various types of health insurance can be a useful intervention to improve ANC (receiving at least four ANC visits) and delivery care (delivery at health facility and delivery assisted by skilled birth attendant) service utilization in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Implementation of health insurance could enable countries' progress towards UHC and reduce maternal mortality. However, more research using rigorous impact evaluation methods is needed to investigate the causal impact of health insurance coverage on postnatal care utilization, contraceptive use and financial protection both in the general population and by socioeconomic status. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered with Prospero (CRD42021285776).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kazibwe
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms Gata, 35205 02, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Phuong Bich Tran
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Andrea Hannah Kaiser
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms Gata, 35205 02, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Felix Masiye
- Department of Economics, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Björn Ekman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms Gata, 35205 02, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jesper Sundewall
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms Gata, 35205 02, Malmö, Sweden
- HEARD, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Osei Afriyie D, Loo PS, Kuwawenaruwa A, Kassimu T, Fink G, Tediosi F, Mtenga S. Understanding the role of the Tanzania national health insurance fund in improving service coverage and quality of care. Soc Sci Med 2024; 347:116714. [PMID: 38479141 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Health insurance is one of the main financing mechanisms currently being used in low and middle-income countries to improve access to quality services. Tanzania has been running its National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) since 2001 and has recently undergone significant reforms. However, there is limited attention to the causal mechanisms through which NHIF improves service coverage and quality of care. This paper aims to use a system dynamics (qualitative) approach to understand NHIF causal pathways and feedback loops for improving service coverage and quality of care at the primary healthcare level in Tanzania. We used qualitative interviews with 32 stakeholders from national, regional, district, and health facility levels conducted between May to July 2021. Based on the main findings and themes generated from the interviews, causal mechanisms, and feedback loops were created. The majority of feedback loops in the CLDs were reinforcing cycles for improving service coverage among beneficiaries and the quality of care by providers, with different external factors affecting these two actions. Our main feedback loop shows that the NHIF plays a crucial role in providing additional financial resources to facilities to purchase essential medical commodities to deliver care. However, this cycle is often interrupted by reimbursement delays. Additionally, beneficiaries' perception that lower-level facilities have poorer quality of care has reinforced care seeking at higher-levels. This has decreased lower level facilities' ability to benefit from the insurance and improve their capacity to deliver quality care. Another key finding was that the NHIF funding has resulted in better services for insured populations compared to the uninsured. To increase quality of care, the NHIF may benefit from improving its reimbursement administrative processes, increasing the capacity of lower levels of care to benefit from the insurance and appropriately incentivizing providers for continuity of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Osei Afriyie
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Pei Shan Loo
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - August Kuwawenaruwa
- Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy Group, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
| | - Tani Kassimu
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland; Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy Group, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sally Mtenga
- Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy Group, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Ireland, UK.
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Okonkwo P, Olatoregun OJ, Abolarin O, Olajide O. Barriers to Accessing Antiretroviral Treatment Among Key Populations in Southwest Nigeria. Cureus 2024; 16:e59312. [PMID: 38817528 PMCID: PMC11137604 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In Nigeria, similar to most of sub-Saharan Africa, the fight against HIV/AIDS is hampered by various barriers. Particularly, key populations (KP) face unique challenges in accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), attributed to health systems, patient-related, and community-related factors. This study aims to explore these barriers among KP in Nigeria, enhancing understanding to improve ART access and outcomes, thereby contributing to global efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Objectives The objective of this study is to explore barriers to accessing ART services among KP living with HIV in the southwest region of Nigeria. Materials and methods This descriptive cross-sectional study, which was carried out in the southwestern Nigerian states of Ondo and Ogun, involved 4,253 KP attending ART clinics. Using a multistage sampling technique, 219 females and 154 males between the ages of 17 and 72 were chosen. Semi-structured survey questions were used to get information to elicit these barriers. SPSS Statistics (version 29.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for quantitative data analysis. Results Specifically, 48.3% of respondents were men, and 58.7% were women; 54.0% were female sexual workers, and the next highest percentages were men who have sex with men (27.0%) and injectable drug users (19.3%); and 79% (51.0% agreed, 28.0% strongly agreed) concurred that the barriers to accessing ART are transportation, distance, and financial challenges. Patients at ART clinics were generally satisfied with the healthcare and health workers' attitude. Measures to protect privacy and confidentiality were considered crucial by the respondents. There are significant associations between ART accessibility and socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics (p-value <0.05). Conclusion This study probed the complex landscape of barriers to ART access faced by KP in Nigeria, underscoring the critical need for tailored, innovative strategies to overcome these obstacles and offering actionable insights for stakeholders to enhance ART adherence and access thereby significantly improving the quality of life for people living with HIV.
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O'Donnell O. Health and health system effects on poverty: A narrative review of global evidence. Health Policy 2024; 142:105018. [PMID: 38382426 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Ill-health causes poverty. The effect runs through multiple mechanisms that span lifetimes and cross generations. Health systems can reduce poverty by improving health and weakening links from ill-health to poverty. This paper maps routes through which ill-health can cause poverty and identifies those that are potentially amenable to health policy. The review confirms that ill-health is an important contributor to poverty and it finds that the effect through health-related loss of earnings is often larger than that through medical expenses. Both effects are smaller in countries that are closer to universal health coverage and have higher social safety nets. The paper also reviews evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the United States (US) on the poverty-reduction effectiveness of public health insurance (PubHI) for low-income households. This reveals that PubHI does not always deliver financial protection to its targeted population in LMICs. Countries that have succeeded in achieving this goal often combine extension of coverage with supply-side interventions to build capacity and avoid perverse provider incentives in response to insurance. In the US, PubHI is effective in reducing poverty by shielding low-income households with children from healthcare costs and, consequently, generating long-run improvements in health that increase lifetime earnings. Poverty reduction is a potentially important co-benefit of health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen O'Donnell
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam 3000 DR, the Netherlands.
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Wong CWY, Li PWC, Yu DSF, Ho BMH, Chan BS. Estimated prevalence of frailty and prefrailty in patients undergoing coronary artery or valvular surgeries/procedures: A systematic review and proportional meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 96:102266. [PMID: 38462047 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aging population has led to an increasing number of older patients undergoing cardiac surgeries/procedures. Frailty and prefrailty have emerged as important prognostic indicators among these patients. This proportional meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of frailty and prefrailty among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS We searched seven electronic databases for observational studies that used validated measure(s) of frailty and reported prevalence data on frailty and/or prefrailty in older patients undergoing coronary artery or valvular surgeries or transcatheter procedures. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS One hundred and one articles involving 626,863 patients were included. The pooled prevalence rates of frailty and prefrailty were 28% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23%-33%) and 40% (95% CI: 31%-50%), respectively, for patients scheduled for open-heart surgeries and 40% (95% CI: 36%-45%) and 43% (95% CI: 34%-53%), respectively, for patients undergoing transcatheter procedures. Frailty measured using a multidimensional approach identified a higher proportion of frail patients when compared with measures solely focused on physical frailty. Older age, female sex, and lower body mass index and hemoglobin concentrations were significantly associated with higher frailty prevalence. Moreover, countries with higher gross domestic product spent on healthcare exhibited a higher frailty prevalence. CONCLUSION Frailty represents a considerable health challenge among patients undergoing cardiac surgeries/procedures. Routine screening for frailty should be considered during perioperative care planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy W Y Wong
- School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - Polly W C Li
- School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.
| | - Doris S F Yu
- School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - Benjamin M H Ho
- School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - Bernice Shinyi Chan
- School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
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Tandon A, Hoang-Vu Eozenou P, Neelsen S. Compulsion and redistribution remain key tenets for financing universal health coverage. Soc Sci Med 2024; 345:115744. [PMID: 36725438 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Tandon
- World Bank, 1818, H Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20433, United States.
| | | | - Sven Neelsen
- World Bank, 1818, H Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20433, United States.
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Folayan A, Fatt QK, Cheong MWL, Su TT. Healthcare cost coverage inequality and its impact on hypertension and diabetes: A five-year follow-up study in a Malaysian rural community. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1880. [PMID: 38361803 PMCID: PMC10867688 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Inequality in health care access is a socioeconomic driver for non-communicable disease related risk factors. This study examined the inequality trend in healthcare cost coverage (HCC) compared to private health insurance (PHI) coverage, a subtype of HCC, over 5 years. The study will also determine the association between HCC (and PHI) and the status of hypertension and diabetes diagnosis. Method The rich-poor ratio, concentration curve and concentration index were derived to determine the level of inequality. Furthermore, logistic regression was done to determine the association between HCC and the status of hypertension and diabetes. Results The PHI group (rich-poor ratio: 1.4 [rich: 454, poor: 314] and 2.6 [rich: 375, poor: 142]; concentration index: 0.123 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.093-0.153] and 0.144 [95% CI: 0.109-0.178] in 2013 and 2018, respectively) has relatively higher inequality compared with the HCC group (rich-poor ratio: 0.9 [rich: 307, poor: 337] and 1.1 [rich: 511, poor: 475]; concentration index: -0.027 [95% CI: -0.053 to -0.000] and -0.014 [95% CI: -0.033 to 0.006] in 2013 and 2018, receptively). Contrasting to the observation with the HCC group, PHI was associated with higher odds for hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.252, p = 0.01, 95% CI: 1.051-1.493) and diabetes (aOR = 1.287, p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.041-1.590) in 2018. Conclusion Over 5 years, the inequality in PHI coverage remained higher compared with HCC, which suggests that the rich enjoyed private healthcare more. Furthermore, those with PHI were more likely to report known hypertension and diabetes in 2018. It is reasonable to assume that those with PHI are more likely to have earlier diagnoses compared to others and are more likely to be aware of their condition. Policymakers need to identify strategies that can narrow the existing gap in quality and type of service between the private and public health sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeola Folayan
- South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health SciencesMonash University MalaysiaJalan Lagoon SelatanBandar SunwaySelangorMalaysia
| | - Quek Kia Fatt
- Global Public Health, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health SciencesMonash University MalaysiaJalan Lagoon SelatanBandar SunwaySelangorMalaysia
| | - Mark Wing Loong Cheong
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of PharmacyMonash University MalaysiaJalan Lagoon SelatanBandar SunwaySelangorMalaysia
| | - Tin Tin Su
- South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health SciencesMonash University MalaysiaJalan Lagoon SelatanBandar SunwaySelangorMalaysia
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Wahdi AE, Sutanto E, Setyawan A, Astrini YP, Adani N, Mardani H, Maulana N, Pattnaik A, Trihono T, Wilopo SA. National health insurance contribution to family planning program funding in Indonesia: A fund flow analysis. Gates Open Res 2024; 7:105. [PMID: 38605912 PMCID: PMC11006955 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.14642.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Launched in 2014, Indonesia's national health insurance system (JKN) aimed to provide universal health coverage, including contraceptive services, to its population. We aim to evaluate the contribution of JKN to the overall spending for the family planning program in Indonesia. Methods Data from the Indonesian Demographic Health Survey, Survey on Financial Flows for Family Planning, Indonesia Motion Tracker Matrix, World Population Prospect, and Indonesian ministries' budget accountability reports were entered into the CastCost Contraceptive Projection Tool to define budgetary allocation and spending for the family planning program at the national level in 2019. Results Indonesia's family planning program in 2019 was financed mostly by the national budget (64.0%) and out-of-pocket payments (34.6%). There were three main ministries responsible for family planning financing: the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) (35.8%), the Ministry of Finance (26.2%), and the Ministry of Health (2.0%). Overall, JKN contributed less than 0.4% of the funding for family planning services in Indonesia in 2019. The majority of family planning spending was by public facilities (57.3%) as opposed to private facilities (28.6%). Conclusion JKN's contribution to funding Indonesia's family planning programs in 2019 was low and highlights a huge opportunity to expand these contributions. A coordinated effort should be conducted to identify possible opportunities to realign BKKBN and JKN roles in the family planning programs and lift barriers to accessing family planning services in public and private facilities. This includes a concerted effort to improve integration of private family planning providers into the JKN program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirah Ellyza Wahdi
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health & Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
- Center for Reproductive Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Edward Sutanto
- ThinkWell, Central Jakarta, Jakarta Special Capital District, 10350, Indonesia
| | - Althaf Setyawan
- Center for Reproductive Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Yufan Putri Astrini
- Center for Reproductive Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Nadhila Adani
- ThinkWell, Central Jakarta, Jakarta Special Capital District, 10350, Indonesia
| | - Halimah Mardani
- ThinkWell, Central Jakarta, Jakarta Special Capital District, 10350, Indonesia
| | - Nirwan Maulana
- ThinkWell, Central Jakarta, Jakarta Special Capital District, 10350, Indonesia
| | - Anooj Pattnaik
- ThinkWell, 1519 York Road, Lutherville, Maryland, 21093, USA
| | - Trihono Trihono
- ThinkWell, Central Jakarta, Jakarta Special Capital District, 10350, Indonesia
| | - Siswanto Agus Wilopo
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health & Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
- Center for Reproductive Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
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Odipo E, Jarhyan P, Nzinga J, Prabhakaran D, Aryal A, Clarke-Deelder E, Mohan S, Mosa M, Eshetu MK, Lewis TP, Kapoor NR, Kruk ME, Fink G, Okiro EA. The path to universal health coverage in five African and Asian countries: examining the association between insurance status and health-care use. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e123-e133. [PMID: 38096884 PMCID: PMC10716621 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite major efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), progress has lagged in many African and Asian countries. A key strategy pursued by many countries is the use of health insurance to increase access and affordability. However, evidence on insurance coverage and on the association between insurance and UHC is mixed. We analysed nationally representative cross-sectional data collected between 2022 and 2023 in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, India, and Laos. We described public and private insurance coverage by sociodemographic factors and used logistic regression to examine the associations between insurance status and seven health-care use outcomes. Health insurance coverage ranged from 25% in India to 100% in Laos. The share of private insurance ranged from 1% in Ethiopia to 13% in South Africa. Relative to the population with private insurance, the uninsured population had reduced odds of health-care use (adjusted odds ratio 0·68, 95% CI 0·50-0·94), cardiovascular examinations (0·63, 0·47-0·85), eye and dental examinations (0·54, 0·42-0·70), and ability to get or afford care (0·64, 0·48-0·86); private insurance was not associated with unmet need, mental health care, and cancer screening. Relative to private insurance, public insurance was associated with reduced odds of health-care use (0·60, 0·43-0·82), mental health care (0·50, 0·31-0·80), cardiovascular examinations (0·62, 0·46-0·84), and eye and dental examinations (0·50, 0·38-0·65). Results were highly heterogeneous across countries. Public health insurance appears to be only weakly associated with access to health services in the countries studied. Further research is needed to improve understanding of these associations and to identify the most effective financing strategies to achieve UHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Odipo
- Population and Health Impact Surveillance Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Jacinta Nzinga
- Health Economics Research Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Amit Aryal
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emma Clarke-Deelder
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Todd P Lewis
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neena R Kapoor
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret E Kruk
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Emelda A Okiro
- Population and Health Impact Surveillance Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Bayked EM, Toleha HN, Kebede SZ, Workneh BD, Kahissay MH. The impact of community-based health insurance on universal health coverage in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2189764. [PMID: 36947450 PMCID: PMC10035959 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2189764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ideally health insurance aims to provide financial security, promote social inclusion, and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for all households. Community-based health insurance has been operating in Ethiopia since 2011. However, its nationwide impact on universal health coverage has not yet been evaluated despite several studies being conducted. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the impact of Ethiopia's community-based health insurance (2012-2021) on universal health coverage. METHODS On 27 August 2022, searches were conducted in Scopus, Hinari, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar. Twenty-three studies were included. We used the Joana Briggs Institute checklists to assess the risk of bias. We included cross-sectional and mixed studies with low and medium risk. The data were processed in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using RevMan-5. The impact was measured first on insured households and then on insured versus uninsured households. We used a random model to measure the effect estimates (odds ratios) with a p value < 0.05 and a 95% CI. RESULTS The universal health coverage provided by the scheme was 45.6% (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.44-2.58). Being a member of the scheme increased universal health coverage by 24.8%. The healthcare service utilization of the beneficiaries was 64.5% (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.29-2.93). The scheme reduced catastrophic health expenditure by 79.4% (OR = 4.99, 95% CI: 1.27-19.67). It yielded a 92% (OR = 11.58, 95% CI: 8.12-16.51) perception of health service quality. The health-related quality of life provided by it was 63% (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.50-1.94). Its population coverage was 40.1% (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41-1.02). CONCLUSION Although the scheme had positive impacts on health service issues by reducing catastrophic costs, the low universal health coverage on a limited population indicates that Ethiopia should move to a broader national scheme that covers the entire population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewunetie Mekashaw Bayked
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Husien Nurahmed Toleha
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Seble Zewdu Kebede
- Department of Pharmacy, Dessie College of Health Sciences (DCHS), Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Birhanu Demeke Workneh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Haile Kahissay
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Nguyen HT, Le HT, Connelly L, Mitrou F. Accuracy of self-reported private health insurance coverage. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2023; 32:2709-2729. [PMID: 37543719 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Studies on health insurance coverage often rely on measures self-reported by respondents, but the accuracy of such measures has not been thoroughly validated. This paper is the first to use linked Australian National Health Survey and administrative population tax data to explore the accuracy of self-reported private health insurance (PHI) coverage in survey data. We find that 11.86% of individuals misreport their PHI coverage status, with 11.57% of true PHI holders reporting that they are uninsured and 12.37% of true non-insured persons self-identifying as insured. Our results show reporting errors are systematically correlated with individual and household characteristics. Our evidence on the determinants of errors is supportive of common reasons for misreporting. We directly investigate biases in the determinants of PHI enrollment using survey data. We find that, as compared to administrative data, survey data depict a quantitatively different picture of PHI enrollment determinants, especially those capturing age, gender, language proficiency, labor force status, disability status, number of children in the household, or household income. We also show that PHI coverage misreporting is subsequently associated with misreporting of reasons for purchasing PHI, type of cover and length of cover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Trong Nguyen
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Huong Thu Le
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Luke Connelly
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The University of Bologna, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | - Francis Mitrou
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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17
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Thi Ngoc PN, My NN, Rasheed S, Khatun F, Van Nuil J, Thanh DN, Mạnh HL, Rahman M. Public healthcare system utilization for chronic hepatitis C infection in Vietnam. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:802. [PMID: 37974105 PMCID: PMC10652521 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08726-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare utilization is typically adversely affected when the treatment is expensive and requires multiple visits. We examined the determinants of healthcare-seeking for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection which is asymptomatic, chronic, and requires costly treatment in an urban tertiary care referral hospital in Vietnam. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of hospital data for patients attending the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between 2017 and 2020 specifically for HCV infection treatment. Poisson regression was used to determine the effect of personal factors (age, sex, comorbidities) and structural factors (health insurance, proximity to the facility, seasonality, year of visit) on the number of hospital visits. RESULTS From 2017 to 2020 a total of 22,052 eligible patients sought treatment in the hospital. Among the patients, 50.4% were males and 58.7% were > 50 years of age. The mean number of visits per person was 2.17. In the multivariate analysis compared to 2017, the number of hospital visits increased by 4% in 2018 and then significantly decreased in 2019 and 2020. Visit numbers were significantly lower (6%) among South East region residents compared to those from Central Highlands and for those who lived further away from the hospital. The visit numbers were significantly higher among older age groups (5-11%), those with health insurance (6%), and those with comorbidities (5%) compared to others. Although the number of hospital visits by females was higher (7%) than males in 2017, it significantly decreased in subsequent years. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that there are both structural and individual factors affecting the number of visits for HCV treatment. To meet the global strategy for elimination of HCV, Vietnam Government needs to address the structural and personal barriers to healthcare seeking, with a special focus on women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Nguyen Thi Ngoc
- Wellcome Asia Africa Programme, The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Nghiem My
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Sabrina Rasheed
- International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Fatema Khatun
- International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jennifer Van Nuil
- Wellcome Asia Africa Programme, The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Hung Le Mạnh
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Motiur Rahman
- Wellcome Asia Africa Programme, The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
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van Gameren E, Enciso N. The Impact of Seguro Popular on the Progression of Disabilities Among Older Adults With Chronic Degenerative Diseases in Mexico. Res Aging 2023; 45:599-608. [PMID: 36515312 PMCID: PMC10597644 DOI: 10.1177/01640275221146283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In a context of population aging, poverty, and inequalities including in the access to healthcare services, in 2004 Mexico initiated Seguro Popular (SP), a non-contributory health insurance providing coverage for informal sector workers excluded from social security. We analyze the impact of SP on the progression of functional limitations among adults aged over 50 with chronic degenerative diseases previously without stable health insurance. Panel data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) permit a difference-in-difference propensity score matching approach, comparing respondents before (2003) and after (2015) the implementation of SP. Findings suggest that SP affiliation in (or shortly before) 2012 has (weakly) slowed the progression of mobility, IADL, and ADL limitations, with a clearer effect in large urban centers. Reforms in the healthcare sector should address underlying structural barriers, reduce existing inequities, and provide effective access to high-quality services. with increased attention for long-term care needs, to guarantee healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin van Gameren
- El Colegio de México, Centro de Estudios Económicos. Carretera Picacho Ajusco 20, Col. Ampliación Fuentes del Pedregal, C.P. 14110 Tlalpan, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Níobe Enciso
- El Colegio de México, Centro de Estudios Económicos. Carretera Picacho Ajusco 20, Col. Ampliación Fuentes del Pedregal, C.P. 14110 Tlalpan, CDMX, Mexico
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19
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Sharma SK, Joseph J, D HS, Nambiar D. Assessing inequalities in publicly funded health insurance scheme coverage and out-of-pocket expenditure for hospitalization: findings from a household survey in Kerala. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:197. [PMID: 37759247 PMCID: PMC10537906 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-02005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing financial risk protection is a key feature of Universal Health Coverage and the path towards health for all. Publicly Funded Health Insurance Schemes (PFHIS) have been considered as one of the pathways to safeguard against financial shocks and potentially reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE). The south Indian state of Kerala has roughly a decade-long experience in implementing PFHIS. To date, there have been very few assessments of the coverage of these schemes and their impact on expenditure. Aiming to fill this gap, we explored the extent of and inequalities in insurance coverage, as well as choice of providers, and median cost of hospitalization in Kerala among insured and uninsured individuals. METHODS A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in four districts of Kerala as part of a larger health systems research study from July-October 2019. We employed multistage random sampling to collect data from 13,064 individuals covering 3234 households in the catchment area of eight primary health care facilities. We used descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis. We evaluated socioeconomic disparities using an absolute measure of inequality-the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and a relative measure-the Relative Concentration Index (RCI). RESULTS A substantial proportion of our study respondents reported that they were covered by PFHIS (45.8%). Respondents belonging to lowest and middle wealth quintiles of household had significantly greater odds of being covered by insurance than respondents belonging to the richest wealth quintile. The negative magnitude of RCI [-16.8% (95%CI: -25.3, -8.4)] and SII [-21.5% (95%CI: -36.1, -7.0)] suggest a higher concentration of PFHIS coverage among the poor. Median OOPE for hospitalisation at private health facilities was INR 9000 (approx. USD 108.70) among those covered by PFHIS, whereas it was INR 10500 (approx. USD 126.82) at private health facilities among those not covered by insurance. CONCLUSION While PFHIS seems to be appropriately targeting poorer populations, among the insured, OOPE for hospitalization persists. Among the uninsured, population subgroups with advantage are spending the greatest amount, raising questions about whether those facing relative disadvantage are forgoing care altogether or seeking care using cheaper, public avenues. Further policy action to more effectively reduce financial burden among left behind eligible populations under PFHIS will be essential to UHC progress in the state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaison Joseph
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India.
| | - Hari Sankar D
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
| | - Devaki Nambiar
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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20
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Wang K, Jin Y, Wang M, Liu J, Bu X, Mu J, Lu J. Global cardiovascular diseases burden attributable to high sodium intake from 1990 to 2019. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2023; 25:868-879. [PMID: 37602974 PMCID: PMC10497030 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Sodium intake shows a positive correlation with blood pressure, resulting in an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Salt reduction is a key step toward the WHO's goal of 25% reduction in mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 2025. This study aims to assess the current condition and temporal changes of the global CVD burden due to high sodium intake (HSI). We extracted data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019. The numbers and age-standardized rates of mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), stratified by location, sex, and socio-demographic Index (SDI), were used to assess the high sodium intake attributable CVD burden from 1990 to 2019. The relationship between the DALYs rates and related factors was evaluated by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Globally, in 2019, the deaths and DALYs of HSI-related CVD were 1.72 million and 40.54 million, respectively, increasing by 41.08% and 33.06% from 1990. Meanwhile, the corresponding mortality and DALYs rates dropped by 35.1% and 35.2%, respectively. The high-middle and middle SDI quintiles bore almost two-thirds of CVD burden caused by HSI. And the leading cause of HSI attributable CVD burden was ischemic heart disease. Universal health coverage (UHC) was associated with the DALYs rates after adjustment. From 1990 to 2019, the global CVD burden attributable to HSI has declined with spatiotemporal and sexual heterogeneity. However, it remains a major public health challenge because of the increasing absolute numbers. Improving UHC serves as an effective strategy to reduce the HSI-related CVD burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Wang
- Department of CardiologyThe Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Yaqiong Jin
- Department of CardiologyThe Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Mengxiao Wang
- Department of CardiologyThe Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Xiang Bu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Jianjun Mu
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Jingchao Lu
- Department of CardiologyThe Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
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Osei Afriyie D, Kwesiga B, Achungura G, Tediosi F, Fink G. Effects of Health Insurance on Quality of Care in Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Public Health Rev 2023; 44:1605749. [PMID: 37635905 PMCID: PMC10447888 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2023.1605749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of health insurance on quality of care in low-income countries (LICs). Methods: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. We searched seven databases for studies published between 2010 and August 2022. We included studies that evaluated the effects of health insurance on quality of care in LICs using randomized experiments or quasi-experimental study designs. Study outcomes were classified using the Donabedian framework. Results: We included 15 studies out of the 6,129 identified. Available evidence seems to suggest that health insurance has limited effects on structural quality, and its effects on the process of care remain mixed. At the population level, health insurance is linked to improved anthropometric measures for children and biomarkers such as blood pressure and hemoglobin levels. Conclusion: Based on the currently available evidence, it appears that health insurance in LICs has limited effects on the quality of care. Further studies are required to delve into the mechanisms that underlie the impact of health insurance on the quality of care and identify the most effective strategies to ensure quality within insurance programs. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=219984, identifier PROSPERO CRD42020219984.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Osei Afriyie
- Department of Epidemiology/Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Department of Epidemiology/Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Günther Fink
- Department of Epidemiology/Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Odonkor SNNT, Koranteng F, Appiah-Danquah M, Dini L. Do national health insurance schemes guarantee financial risk protection in the drive towards Universal Health Coverage in West Africa? A systematic review of observational studies. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001286. [PMID: 37556426 PMCID: PMC10411819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
To facilitate the drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) several countries in West Africa have adopted National Health Insurance (NHI) schemes to finance health services. However, safeguarding insured populations against catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment due to health spending still remains a challenge. This study aims to describe the extent of financial risk protection among households enrolled under NHI schemes in West Africa and summarize potential learnings. We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. We searched for observational studies published in English between 2005 and 2022 on the following databases: PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase and Google Scholar. We assessed the study quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies for inclusion, extracted data and conducted quality assessment. We presented our findings as thematic synthesis for qualitative data and Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) for quantitative data. We published the study protocol in PROSPERO with ID CRD42022338574. Nine articles were eligible for inclusion, comprising eight cross-sectional studies and one retrospective cohort study published between 2011 and 2021 in Ghana (n = 8) and Nigeria (n = 1). While two-thirds of the studies reported a positive (protective) effect of NHI enrollment on CHE at different thresholds, almost all of the studies (n = 8) reported some proportion of insured households still encountered CHE with one-third reporting more than 50% incurring CHE. Although insured households seemed better protected against CHE and impoverishment compared to uninsured households, gaps in the current NHI design contributed to financial burden among insured populations. To enhance financial risk protection among insured households and advance the drive towards UHC, West African governments should consider investing more in NHI research, implementing nationwide compulsory NHI programmes and establishing multinational subregional collaborations to co-design sustainable context-specific NHI systems based on solidarity, equity and fair financial contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney N. N. T. Odonkor
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Martin Appiah-Danquah
- Department of Surgery, NES Healthcare, Parkside Hospital, London, Wimbledon, United Kingdom
| | - Lorena Dini
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Kitole FA, Lihawa RM, Nsindagi TE, Tibamanya FY. Does health insurance solve health care utilization puzzle in Tanzania? Public Health 2023; 219:91-101. [PMID: 37146487 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The global target of achieving universal health coverage by 2030 is a nightmare in most developing countries. To seek in-depth reasons, this study examines the effects of health insurance on healthcare utilization in Tanzania. STUDY DESIGN This study used a non-experimental research design. METHODS Probit model, negative binomial regression, and instrumental variable Poisson with generalized method of moments were used to solve the healthcare utilization puzzle by the use of Andersen Health Care Utilization Model by using the Tanzania Panel Survey data of 2020/21. RESULTS The findings showed that education level, income, age, residence, household size, insurance, and distance from homestead to health facilities are significant policy intervention factors for improving households' healthcare utilization behavior among households in Tanzania. CONCLUSION Prioritize should be made on interventions that ensure the affordability of health services without compromising the quality of services offered and expanding the share of the government budget on health sector.
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Nguyen CM, Nguyen MP, Luc LDP. How public health insurance expansion affects healthcare utilizations in middle and low-income households: an observational study from national cross-section surveys in Vietnam. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:624. [PMID: 37004009 PMCID: PMC10067245 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15500-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Public health insurance (PHI) has been implemented with different levels of participation in many countries, from voluntary to mandatory. In Vietnam, a law amendment made PHI compulsory nationwide in 2015 with a tolerance phase allowing people a flexible time to enroll. This study aims to examine mechanisms under which the amendment affected the enrollment, healthcare utilization, and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures by middle- and low-income households in this transitioning process.Using the biennial Vietnam Household Living Standard Surveys, the study applied the doubly robust difference-in-differences approach to compare outcomes in the post-amendment period from the 2016 survey with those in the pre-amendment period from the 2014 survey. The approach inheriting advantages from its predecessors, i.e., the difference-in-differences and the augmented inverse-probability weighting methods, can mitigate possible biases in policy evaluations due to the changes within the group and between groups over time in the cross-section observational study.The results showed health insurance expansion with extensive subsidies in premiums and medical coverage for persons other than the full-time employed, young children or elderly members in the family, significantly increased enrollments in the middle- and low-income groups by 9% and 8%, respectively. The number of visits for PHI-eligible services also increased, approximately 0.5 more visit per person in the middle-income and 1 more visit per person in the low-income. The amendment, however, so far did not show any significant effect on reducing OOP payments, neither for the low nor the middle-income groups. To further expand PHI coverage and financial protections, policymakers should focus on improving public health facilities, contracting PHI to more accredited private health providers, and motivating the high-income group's enrollments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi M Nguyen
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA.
| | - Mai P Nguyen
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, QLD, Australia
- Department of Medical Services Administration, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Lan D P Luc
- Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Gabani J, Mazumdar S, Suhrcke M. The effect of health financing systems on health system outcomes: A cross-country panel analysis. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2023; 32:574-619. [PMID: 36480236 PMCID: PMC10107855 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Several low- and middle-income countries are considering health financing system reforms to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC). However, empirical evidence of the effect of health financing systems on health system outcomes is scarce, partly because it is difficult to quantitatively capture the 'health financing system'. We assign country-year observations to one of three health financing systems (i.e., predominantly out-of-pocket, social health insurance (SHI) or government-financed), using clustering based on out-of-pocket, contributory SHI and non-contributory government expenditure, as a percentage of total health expenditures. We then estimate the effect of these different systems on health system outcomes, using fixed effects regressions. We find that transitions from OOP-dominant to government-financed systems improved most outcomes more than did transitions to SHI systems. Transitions to government financing increases life expectancy (+1.3 years, p < 0.05) and reduces under-5 mortality (-8.7%, p < 0.05) and catastrophic health expenditure incidence (-3.3 percentage points, p < 0.05). Results are robust to several sensitivity tests. It is more likely that increases in non-contributory government financing rather than SHI financing improve health system outcomes. Notable reasons include SHI's higher implementation costs and more limited coverage. These results may raise a warning for policymakers considering SHI reforms to reach UHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Gabani
- Centre for Health EconomicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK
- Department of Economics and Related StudiesUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | | | - Marc Suhrcke
- Centre for Health EconomicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK
- Luxembourg Institute of Socio‐Economic Research (LISER)Esch‐sur‐AlzetteLuxembourg
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Zaidi S, Das JK, Jamal W, Ali A, Siddiqui F, Thabet A, Salah H, Mataria A. Government purchasing initiatives involving private providers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a systematic review of impact on health service utilisation. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e063327. [PMID: 36813492 PMCID: PMC9950888 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This paper provides a systematic review of evidence of government purchase of health services from private providers through stand-alone contracting-out (CO) initiatives and CO insurance schemes (CO-I) on health service utilisation in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) to inform universal health coverage 2030 strategies. DESIGN Systematic review. DATA SOURCES Electronic search of published and grey literature on Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, CINHAL, Google Scholar and web, including websites of ministries of health from January 2010 to November 2021. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, time series, before-after and endline with comparison group reporting quantitative utilisation of data across 16 low-income and middle-income states of EMR. Search was limited to publications in English or English translation. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS We planned for meta-analysis, but due to limited data and heterogeneous outcomes, descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS Several initiatives were identified but only 128 studies were eligible for full-text screening and 17 met the inclusion criteria. These included CO (n=9), CO-I (n=3) and a combination of both (n=5) across seven countries. Eight studies assessed interventions at national level and nine at subnational level. Seven studies reported on purchasing arrangements with non-governmental organisations, 10 on private hospitals and clinics. Impact on outpatient curative care utilisation was seen in both CO and CO-I, positive evidence of improved maternity care service volumes was seen mainly from CO interventions and less reported from CO-I, whereas data on child health service volume was only available for CO and indicated negative impact on service volumes. The studies also suggest pro-poor effect for CO initiatives, whereas there was scarce data for CO-I. CONCLUSION Purchasing involving stand-alone CO and CO-I interventions in EMR positively impact general curative care utilisation, but lacks conclusive evidence for other services. Policy attention is needed for embedded evaluations within programmes, standardised outcome metrics and disaggregated utilisation data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shehla Zaidi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Aga Khan University (International), AKU-UK, London, UK
| | - Jai K Das
- Institute of Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Wafa Jamal
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ammarah Ali
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Faareha Siddiqui
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Aya Thabet
- Department of Universal Health Coverage/ Health Systems, WHO-EMRO, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hassan Salah
- Department of Universal Health Coverage/ Health Systems, WHO-EMRO, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Awad Mataria
- Department of Universal Health Coverage/ Health Systems, WHO-EMRO, Cairo, Egypt
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Bousmah MAQ, Diakhaté P, Toulao GÀD, Le Hesran JY, Lalou R. Effects of a free health insurance programme for the poor on health service utilisation and financial protection in Senegal. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-009977. [PMID: 36526298 PMCID: PMC9764670 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Implemented in 2013 in Senegal, the Programme National de Bourses de Sécurité Familiale (PNBSF) is a national cash transfer programme for poor households. Besides reducing household poverty and encouraging children's school attendance, an objective of the PNBSF is to expand health coverage by guaranteeing free enrolment in community-based health insurance (CBHI) schemes. In this paper, we provide the first assessment of the PNBSF free health insurance programme on health service utilisation and health-related financial protection. METHODS We collected household-level and individual-level cross-sectional data on health insurance in 2019-2020 within the Niakhar Population Observatory in rural Senegal. We conducted a series of descriptive analyses to fully describe the application of the PNBSF programme in terms of health coverage. We then used multivariate logistic and Poisson regression models within an inverse probability weighting framework to estimate the effect of being registered in a CBHI through the PNBSF-as compared with having no health insurance or having voluntarily enrolled in a CBHI scheme-on a series of outcomes. RESULTS With the exception of health facility deliveries, which were favoured by free health insurance, the PNBSF did not reduce the unmet need for healthcare or the health-related financial risk. It did not increase individuals' health service utilisation in case of health problems, did not increase the number of antenatal care visits and did not protect households against the risk of forgoing medical care and of catastrophic health expenditure. CONCLUSION We found limited effects of the PNBSF free health insurance on health service utilisation and health-related financial protection, although these failures were not necessarily due to the provision of free health insurance per se. Our results point to both implementation failures and limited programme outcomes. Greater commitment from the state is needed, particularly through strategies to reduce barriers to accessing covered healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwân-al-Qays Bousmah
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Ceped, F-75006 Paris, France,Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Richard Lalou
- Université Paris Cité, MERIT, IRD, F-75006, Paris, France
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Is there an ex-ante moral hazard on Indonesia's health insurance? An impact analysis on household waste management behavior. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276521. [PMID: 36520868 PMCID: PMC9754289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of ex-ante moral hazard could undermine the potential gain from expanding health insurance coverage in developing nations. To test the proposition, this study utilizes a nationally representative longitudinal survey with Indonesia's health insurance for poor policy in 2014 as the quasi-experimental case study. The country represents developing nations that undergo a massive and rapid expansion of health insurance coverage. The empirical approach combines a matching and difference-in-differences method to obviate potential bias of the selectivity nature of health insurance provision and time-invariant unobserved factors. The findings suggest the presence of ex-ante moral hazard in the form of the less people using trash cans associated with the introduction of the subsidized health insurance premium. The results add empirical findings of a negative side effect of expanding health insurance coverage in developing nations.
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Nyatela A, Nqakala S, Singh L, Johnson T, Gumede S. Self-care can be an alternative to expand access to universal health care: What policy makers, governments and implementers can consider for South Africa. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:1073246. [PMID: 36545492 PMCID: PMC9760858 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.1073246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As a result of collaboration amongst the various decision-makers in the field of healthcare, there has been an improvement in the access to healthcare and living conditions globally. Nonetheless, poorer communities continue to benefit the least from public investment. To bridge the gap, self-care can be a viable alternative as it allows individuals and communities to reduce their dependence on government healthcare solutions. Barriers to self-care do exist. Some of these are cost effectiveness, usability of self-care instruments, differentiated strategies and linkage to care. In identifying these obstacles, it is also worthwhile to investigate how they can be mitigated. To encourage sustained self-care in the HIV continuum, contextual factors as well as the manner in which individuals and communities engage with self-care must be considered. In South Africa, multiple variables come into play: literacy levels, cultural influences, socio-economic conditions and access to resources are some of these. Evidence demonstrates how self-care can be promoted by various stakeholders re-strategising to tweak and in some cases totally change existing structures. This paper explores some of the transformations, like at a governmental level where the supply of HIV self-testing kits is increased, at a production level where instructions for use are reformatting, in communities where sports programmes fulfil the dual purpose of developing sport skills and providing HIV education concurrently, and at an individual level where greater awareness invites greater participation in self-care. While self-care is a promising proposal, it is not a replacement for traditional health-care practices, but a complementary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athini Nyatela
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Correspondence: Athini Nyatela
| | - Sizwe Nqakala
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Leanne Singh
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Taylor Johnson
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Siphamandla Gumede
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Njie H, Wangen KR, Chola L, Gopinathan U, Mdala I, Sundby JS, Ilboudo PGC. Willingness to pay for a National Health Insurance Scheme in The Gambia: a contingent valuation study. Health Policy Plan 2022; 38:61-73. [PMID: 36300926 PMCID: PMC9849717 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In pursuit of universal health coverage, many low- and middle-income countries are reforming their health financing systems and introducing health insurance schemes. As part of these reforms, lawmakers in The Gambia enacted 'The National Health Insurance Bill, 2021'. The Act will establish a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) that pays for the cost of healthcare services for its members. This study assessed Gambians' willingness to pay (WTP) for a NHIS. Using multistage sampling design with no replacement, head/co-head of households were presented with a hypothetical health insurance scheme from July to August 2020. Their WTP and factors influencing WTP were elicited using a contingent valuation method. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sample characteristics. Lopez-Feldman's modified ordered probit model and linear regression were applied to estimate respondents' WTP as well as identify factors that influence their WTP. More than 90% of the respondents-677 (94.4%) were willing to join and pay for the scheme. Half of these respondents-398 (58.8%) agreed to pay the first bid of US dollars (US$) 20.78 or Gambian dalasi (GMD) 1000. The average WTP was estimated at US$23.27 (GMD1119.82), whereas average maximum amount to pay was US$26.01 (GMD1251.16). Results of the two models together showed that gender, level of education and household income were statistically significant, with the latter showing negative influence on WTP. The study found that Gambians were largely receptive to the scheme and have stated their willingness to contribute. Our findings can inform policymakers in The Gambia and other sub-Saharan countries when establishing contribution rates and exemption criteria during social health insurance scheme implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Njie
- *Corresponding author. Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway. E-mail:
| | - Knut Reidar Wangen
- Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, Postboks 1089 Blindern, Oslo 0317, Norway
| | - Lumbwe Chola
- Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, Postboks 1089 Blindern, Oslo 0317, Norway,Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Sandakerveien 24c, Bygg D, Oslo 0473, Norway
| | - Unni Gopinathan
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Sandakerveien 24c, Bygg D, Oslo 0473, Norway
| | - Ibrahimu Mdala
- Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, Oslo 0318, Norway
| | - Johanne S Sundby
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern 0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Patrick G C Ilboudo
- African Population and Health Research Center, APHRC Campus, Manga Close, Off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi 0318, Kenya
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Kaso AW, Haji A, Hareru HE, Hailu A. Is Ethiopian community-based health insurance affordable? Willingness to pay analysis among households in South Central, Ethiopia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276856. [PMID: 36301951 PMCID: PMC9612585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Community-based Health Insurance (CBHI) is a voluntary prepayment mechanism that guarantees the provision of basic healthcare services without financial barriers to underserved segments of the population in developing countries. The Government of Ethiopia launched the CBHI program to protect the community from high out-of-pocket health expenditure and improve health service utilization a decade ago. However, to improve the quality of healthcare services delivery in health facilities and cover the changing costs of healthcare, the government should revise the contribution of the CBHI scheme. Therefore, we determined the willingness to pay for a CBHI scheme and associated factors among rural households of Lemu and Bilbilo district, South Central Ethiopia. Methods We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study design to assess willingness to pay for the CBHI scheme and its associated factors among households in Lemu and Bilbilo districts, South Central Ethiopia. We used a double bounded contingent valuation method to elicit households’ willingness to pay for the CBHI scheme. Data were coded, cleaned, entered into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25, and exported to STATA 16 for analysis. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the presence of statistically significant associations between the willingness to pay for the CBHI scheme and independent variables at a p-value <0.05 and Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) values with 95% CI. Finally, we checked the fitness of the model using Hosmer and Lemeshow’s goodness-of-fit test. Results Of the 476 study participants, 82.9% (95% CI: 79.2%, 86.01%) were willing to pay for the CBHI scheme and only 62% of them can afford the average amount of 358.32ETB ($7.68) per household per annum. Primary education (AOR = 3.17; 95% CI: 1.74–5.80), secondary and above education (AOR = 4.13; 95% CI: 1.86–9.18), large family size (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.26–5.97), monthly income of 500-1000ETB (AOR = 3.75; 95% CI: 1.97–7.13) and distance to public health facilities (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.04–4.39 were significantly associated with willingness to pay for the CBHI scheme. Conclusion In this study, around 83% of respondents were willing to pay for the CBHI and meet the government expectation for 2020. The study also revealed that educational status, family size, monthly income, and distance from the health facilities were significant factors associated with WTP for the CBHI scheme. In addition, we found that a large number of the respondents couldn’t afford the average amount of money that the participants were willing to pay for the CBHI scheme. So, the government should consider the economic status of the communities while revising the CBHI scheme premium not to miss those who cannot afford the contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdene Weya Kaso
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia,* E-mail:
| | - Abdane Haji
- Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Lemu and Bilbilo District Health Office, Bokoji, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Endashaw Hareru
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Hailu
- Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Community-Based Health Insurance Membership Renewal Rate and Associated Factors among Households in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2022:8479834. [PMID: 36225760 PMCID: PMC9550414 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8479834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Community-based health insurance (CBHI) scheme is an emerging strategy to achieve universal health coverage and protect communities in developing countries from catastrophic financial expenditure at the service delivery point. However, high membership discontinuation from the CBHI scheme remained the challenge to progress toward universal financial protection in resource-constrained countries. Therefore, this study assessed the community-based health insurance membership renewal rate and associated factors in the Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among households in the Yirga Chafe district, Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia, from September 10 to 30, 2021. We used a multistage simple random sampling to recruit 537 respondents. We entered data into Epi-Info 7 and exported it to SPSS version 25 for analysis. We used a logistic regression model to determine factors associated with the CBHI scheme membership renewal. Variables with a P value of <0.05 and a 95% confidence level were considered to be significantly associated with the outcome variable. Results We found the respondents' CBHI membership renewal rate was 82.68%. Those who enrolled in the CBHI scheme >3years (AOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.40–6.97), having illnesses in the last three months (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: 1.47–5.99), the CBHI premium affordability (AOR = 12.64; 95% CI: 3.25–49.38), good knowledge of the CBHI scheme (AOR = 21.11; 95% CI: 10.63–41.93), perceived quality of health service (AOR = 4.21; 95% CI: 1.52–11.68), and favorable attitude towards the CBHI scheme (AOR = 3.89, 95% CI: 1.67–9.04) were significantly associated with the CBHI program membership renewal rate. Conclusion In our study, we found the magnitude of CBHI members who discontinued their CBHI scheme membership was high. Besides, we found that the affordability of the CBHI premium, respondents' attitude, and knowledge of the CBHI program were predictor factors for dropout from the CBHI membership. Therefore, the government should consider the economic status of communities during setting the CBHI program contribution. Moreover, awareness creation through health education should be provided to improve participants' knowledge and perception of the CBHI program.
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Damte Tegegn B, Negeri KG. Assessment of utilization of health care services and the associated factors among adult fee-waiver beneficiaries in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia: A community based cross sectional study. J Public Health Res 2022; 11:22799036221139940. [DOI: 10.1177/22799036221139940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Over the past decades, developing countries like Ethiopia have resorted to the implementation of user fees in public health care systems. Nonetheless, evidences suggest that user fees affect the poor negatively. Therefore, Ethiopian government introduced fee-waiver mechanism in 1998 aiming to mitigate the financial constraints faced by the poorest segment of the population in utilizing health care services. Yet, in the country, there is limited evidence on this subject. Objective: The overall objective of the study was to assess health care utilization and the associated factors among the fee-waiver beneficiaries in Hawassa City of Southern Ethiopia. Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was employed using a sample of 636 fee-waiver beneficiaries. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using binary logistic regression. An odds ratio with the corresponding CI was used to identify the associated factors, while P < 0.05 was used to declare significance. Results: The response rate to the survey is 581(91.4%). Of this, 377 (65%) utilized health services in the preceding 3 months of data collection. Availability of medical equipment [AOR = 1.501; 95% C.I. (1.066–2.114)], being >50 years of age [AOR = 2.271; 95% C.I. (1.304–3.953)], improved drug availability in the health care facilities [AOR = 1.682; 95% C.I. (1.118–2.530)] and beneficiaries’ perception of health worker’s handling practice [AOR = 3.759; 95% C.I. (1.425–9.912)] were among the significant factors associated with beneficiaries’ utilization of health care services at public health facilities. Conclusion and recommendation: The overall fee waiver beneficiaries’ health care utilizations rate is 64.9%. Optimizing availability of medical equipment, enhancing drug availability and strengthening good patient handling practices are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biruk Damte Tegegn
- Health financing improvement Program, Abt Associates Inc, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Keneni Gutema Negeri
- School of Public Health, Health Systems Management and Policy Unit, Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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Okuzu O, Malaga R, Okereafor K, Amos U, Dosunmu A, Oyeneyin A, Adeoye V, Sambo MN, Ebenso B. Role of digital health insurance management systems in scaling health insurance coverage in low- and Middle-Income Countries: A case study from Nigeria. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:1008458. [PMID: 36204711 PMCID: PMC9530809 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.1008458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing global commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the past decade has triggered UHC-inspired reforms and investments to expand health service coverage in many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). UHC aims to ensure that all people can access quality health services, safeguard them from public health risks and impoverishment from out-of-pocket payments for healthcare when household members are sickAimThis paper reviews the role of health insurance as a policy tool to address health financing as a contributory mechanism for accelerating the achievement of UHC in LMICs. We focus on Nigeria's legal framework for health insurance coverage for its whole population and the role of technology in facilitating enrollment to health insurance schemes.MethodsFrom May to July 2022, we adopted a cross-sectional case study design combining: (i) a literature review of the effects of UHC with (ii) document analysis of health insurance systems in Nigeria, and (iii) secondary analysis of health insurance datasets to understand experiences of deploying MedStrat, a locally-developed digital health insurance management system, and its features that support the administration of health insurance schemes in multiple states of Nigeria. We drew on contemporary technology adoption models to triangulate diverse data analyzed from literature and documents reviews and from health insurance datasets to identify: (i) enablers of adoption of digital insurance schemes, (ii) the contribution of digital technology to expanding access to health insurance, and (iii) further scalability of digital insurance intervention.ResultsPreliminary findings suggests that digital insurance management systems can help to increase the number of enrollees for insurance especially among poor households. Three contextual enablers of adoption of digital insurance schemes were a favourable policy environment, public-private-partnerships, and sustained stakeholder engagement and training.Discussion and conclusionKey elements for successful scaling of digital health insurance schemes across Nigeria and similar contexts include: (i) ease of use, (ii) existing digital infrastructure to support electronic insurance systems, and (iii) trust manifested via data encryption, maintaining audit trails for all data, and in-built fraud prevention processes. Our findings affirm that digital health technology can play a role in the attainment of UHC in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okey Okuzu
- Instrat Global Health Solutions, Abuja, Nigeria
- Correspondence: Okey Okuzu
| | - Ross Malaga
- School of Business, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, United States
| | - Kenneth Okereafor
- Department of Information / Communications Technology, National Health Insurance Authority, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Ujulu Amos
- Adamawa State Contributory Health Management Agency, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
| | - Afolabi Dosunmu
- Ogun State Contributory Health Insurance Agency, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Abiodun Oyeneyin
- Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Mohammed Nasir Sambo
- Department of Information / Communications Technology, National Health Insurance Authority, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Bassey Ebenso
- Leeds Institute for Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Batbold O, Banzragch T, Davaajargal D, Pu C. Crowding-Out Effect of Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditures on Consumption Among Households in Mongolia. Int J Health Policy Manag 2022; 11:1874-1882. [PMID: 34634880 PMCID: PMC9808239 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures are a common problem in developing countries. Studies rarely investigate the crowding-out effect of OOP health expenditures on other areas of household consumption. OOP health costs are a colossal burden on families and can lead to adjustments in other areas of consumption to cope with these costs. METHODS This cross-sectional study used self-reported household consumption data from the nationally representative Household Socioeconomic Survey (HSES), collected in 2018 by the National Statistical Office of Mongolia. We estimated a quadratic conditional Engel curves system to determine intrahousehold resource allocation among 12 consumption variables. The 3-stage least squared method was used to deal with heteroscedasticity and endogeneity problems to estimate the causal crowding-out effect of OOP. RESULTS The mean monthly OOP health expenditure per household was ₮64 673 (standard deviation [SD]=259 604), representing approximately 6.9% of total household expenditures. OOP health expenditures were associated with crowding out durables, communication, transportation, and rent, and with crowding in education and heating for all households. The crowding-out effect of ₮10 000 in OOP health expenditures was the largest for food (₮5149, 95% CI=-8582; -1695) and crowding-in effect was largest in heating (₮2691, 95% CI=737; 4649) in the lowest-income households. The effect of heating was more than 10 times greater than that in highest-income households (₮261, 95% CI=66; 454); in the highest-income households, food had a crowding-in effect (₮179, 95% CI=-445; 802) in absolute amounts. In terms of absolute amount, the crowding-out effect for food was up to 5 times greater in households without social health insurance (SHI) than in those with SHI. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that Mongolia's OOP health expenses are associated with reduced essential expenditure on items such as durables, communication, transportation, rent, and food. The effect varies by household income level and SHI status, and the lowest-income families were most vulnerable. SHI in Mongolia may not protect households from large OOP health expenditures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ochirbat Batbold
- Ach Medical University, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Etugen University, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Tuvshin Banzragch
- Mongolian Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | - Christy Pu
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Aregbeshola BS, Khan SM. Barriers to enrollment in National Health Insurance Scheme among informal sector workers in Nigeria. WORLD MEDICAL & HEALTH POLICY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bolaji S. Aregbeshola
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing The University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales Australia
| | - Samina M. Khan
- Department of Public Health, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad Pakistan
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Rahman T, Gasbarro D, Alam K. Financial risk protection from out-of-pocket health spending in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review of the literature. Health Res Policy Syst 2022; 20:83. [PMID: 35906591 PMCID: PMC9336110 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-022-00886-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Financial risk protection (FRP), defined as households’ access to needed healthcare services without experiencing undue financial hardship, is a critical health systems target, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Given the remarkable growth in FRP literature in recent times, we conducted a scoping review of the literature on FRP from out-of-pocket (OOP) health spending in LMICs. The objective was to review current knowledge, identify evidence gaps and propose future research directions. Methods We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines to conduct this scoping review. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest and Web of Science in July 2021 for literature published since 1 January 2015. We included empirical studies that used nationally representative data from household surveys to measure the incidence of at least one of the following indicators: catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), impoverishment, adoption of strategies to cope with OOP expenses, and forgone care for financial reasons. Our review covered 155 studies and analysed the geographical focus, data sources, methods and analytical rigour of the studies. We also examined the level of FRP by disease categories (all diseases, chronic illnesses, communicable diseases) and the effect of health insurance on FRP. Results The extant literature primarily focused on India and China as research settings. Notably, no FRP study was available on chronic illness in any low-income country (LIC) or on communicable diseases in an upper-middle-income country (UMIC). Only one study comprehensively measured FRP by examining all four indicators. Most studies assessed (lack of) FRP as CHE incidence alone (37.4%) or as CHE and impoverishment incidence (39.4%). However, the LMIC literature did not incorporate the recent methodological advances to measure CHE and impoverishment that address the limitations of conventional methods. There were also gaps in utilizing available panel data to determine the length of the lack of FRP (e.g. duration of poverty caused by OOP expenses). The current estimates of FRP varied substantially among the LMICs, with some of the poorest countries in the world experiencing similar or even lower rates of CHE and impoverishment compared with the UMICs. Also, health insurance in LMICs did not consistently offer a higher degree of FRP. Conclusion The literature to date is unable to provide a reliable representation of the actual level of protection enjoyed by the LMIC population because of the lack of comprehensive measurement of FRP indicators coupled with the use of dated methodologies. Future research in LMICs should address the shortcomings identified in this review. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12961-022-00886-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taslima Rahman
- Murdoch Business School, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia. .,Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
| | - Dominic Gasbarro
- Murdoch Business School, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Khurshid Alam
- Murdoch Business School, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia
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Houghton N, Báscolo E, Jara L, Cuellar C, Coitiño A, del Riego A, Ventura E. Barreras de acceso a los servicios de salud para mujeres, niños y niñas en América Latina. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2022; 46:e94. [PMID: 35875315 PMCID: PMC9299390 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2022.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objetivo.
Determinar si existe una asociación entre las barreras de acceso informadas por mujeres de 15-49 años y la utilización de servicios esenciales de salud para mujeres, niños y niñas en América Latina.
Método.
Estudio transversal con base en modelos de regresión multivariada logística a partir de las Encuestas de Demografía y Salud de Bolivia, Haití, Honduras, Guatemala, Guyana, Nicaragua, Perú y República Dominicana.
Resultados.
Las barreras geográficas y financieras, la necesidad de obtener permiso para visitar al médico o no querer ir sola al establecimiento redujo significativamente la probabilidad de completar los controles prenatales y de tener un parto asistido. Las mujeres que notificaron dificultades para obtener permiso para visitar al médico redujeron su probabilidad de tener un examen de Papanicolau en los últimos 2 o 3 años, completar la vacunación de niños y niñas, y la probabilidad de buscar atención para sus hijos e hijas con cuadros de infección respiratoria aguda. No querer ir sola al centro de salud redujo la probabilidad de usar métodos anticonceptivos modernos.
Conclusiones.
La notificación de barreras de acceso por parte de las mujeres redujo de forma estadísticamente significativa la posibilidad de utilizar servicios esenciales de salud para ellas y para sus hijos e hijas. Las estrategias orientadas a eliminar barreras no solo deben enfocarse en mejorar la oferta de servicios, sino también abordar aspectos relacionados con las normas, los roles de género y el empoderamiento de las mujeres si se espera avanzar de manera sostenible hacia el acceso universal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Houghton
- Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de América
| | - Ernesto Báscolo
- Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de América
| | - Lilia Jara
- Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de América
| | - Catharina Cuellar
- Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de América
| | - Andrés Coitiño
- Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de América
| | - Amalia del Riego
- Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de América
| | - Edgar Ventura
- Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de América
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Prakash NS. A disappointing Budget -2022 so far as Health Insurance Protection is concerned especially during the critical period of covid influence. INDIAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.47203/ijch.2022.v34i02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The expectations were soaring amongst the general public just before the 2022 budget with hopes in respect of reduced Income Tax rates or increased exemption limits etc. One of the biggest expectations was in respect of upward revision in Section 80 D limits which refers to health insurance premium paid and the same has not been revised for long time. Over the years, the health insurance premium has increased substantially and more so due to huge claims from Covid in last two years. But, much to shock of all Income Tax Payers, the, Section 80 D limits remains untouched. There are also other policies which comes under the broad category of Health Insurance that does not qualify for Income Tax exemption but merits serious consideration. Health Insurance policies are subject to GST of 18% which is certainly too high especially when the Government should have looked at initiating major step to boost the health insurance penetration and make feel people more secured. For an individual to manage one’s health risk properly, he/she need to have more than one type of health insurance policies for adequate amount with all applicable riders or add-on covers which matters and all dependents like spouse, children and parents being completely covered.
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Asfaw DM, Shifaw SM, Belete AA, Aychiluhm SB. The Impact of Community-Based Health Insurance on Household's Welfare in Chilga District, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Front Public Health 2022; 10:868274. [PMID: 35719626 PMCID: PMC9201023 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.868274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Household welfare is depleted by catastrophic health expenditure by forcing families to reduce the consumption of necessary goods and services, underutilization of health services, and of finally falling into the poverty trap. To mitigate such problem, the Government of Ethiopia launched CBHI schemes. Therefore, this study investigates the household welfare impact of Community based health insurance (CBHI) in the Chilga district. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 531 households (of which 356 were treated and 175 control groups). Probit and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to analyze the data. Probit model revealed the following: Level of education, access to credit, chronic disease, insurance premium, awareness, distance to health service, and health service waiting time are significant determinates for being insured in CBHI. The PSM method revealed that the insured households associated with visits increased by 2.6 times, reduced per-capita health expenditure by 17–14% points, increased the per-capita consumption of non-food items by 12–14% points, increased the per-capita consumption of food items by 12–13% points in a given matching algorithm compared to the counterparts. Therefore, CBHI has enhanced service utilization by reducing per-capita health expenditure and increasing consumption per-capita, in general, it improved household welfare. To this end, the results of this study suggested that the government (ministry of health) and concerned bodies (such as NGOs) should extend the coverage and accessibility of CBHI schemes, create aware to the society about CBHI, and subsidize premium costs of the poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmawe Menelek Asfaw
- Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
| | - Sirage Mohammed Shifaw
- Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
| | - Atinkugn Assefa Belete
- Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
| | - Setognal Birara Aychiluhm
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
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Campbell T, Rodgers YVDM. Health insurance coverage and health outcomes among transgender adults in the United States. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2022; 31:973-992. [PMID: 35246917 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study provides evidence of health and insurance coverage disparities between the cisgender and transgender US populations using repeated cross sections from the 2014-2020 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Systems. The analysis tests whether increasing the incidence of insurance coverage among transgender people could alleviate the health disparity. The empirical approach uses a fuzzy regression discontinuity design that leverages breaks in government health assistance eligibility by age. Results indicate that, for transgender recipients only, insurance coverage meaningfully improves mental health; for cisgender recipients only, insurance coverage reduces difficulties with concentration and memory; and for both the transgender and cisgender populations, insurance coverage contributes to important improvements in physical health, overall health, and healthcare access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Campbell
- Department of Economics, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
| | - Yana van der Meulen Rodgers
- Labor Studies and Employment Relations Department, School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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Yan X, Liu Y, Cai M, Liu Q, Xie X, Rao K. Trends in disparities in healthcare utilisation between and within health insurances in China between 2008 and 2018: a repeated cross-sectional study. Int J Equity Health 2022; 21:30. [PMID: 35209916 PMCID: PMC8876177 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-022-01633-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fragmentation in China’s social health insurance schemes and income gap have been recognised as important factors for the inequitable use of healthcare. This study assessed trends in disparities in healthcare utilisation between and within health insurances in China between 2008 and 2018. Methods We used data from the 2008, 2013, and 2018 China National Health Services Survey. Outpatient visit, inpatient admission and foregone inpatient care were chosen to measure healthcare utilisation and underutilisation by health insurances. Absolute differences and rate ratios were generated to examine disparities between and within health insurances, and changes in disparities were analysed descriptively. Pearson χ2 tests were used to test for statistical significance of differences. Results The outpatient visit rate for respondents covered by the urban resident-based basic medical insurance scheme (URBMI) more than doubled between 2008 and 2018, increasing from 10.5% (9.7-11.2) to 23.5% (23.1-23.8). Inpatient admission rates for respondents covered by URBMI and the new rural cooperative medical scheme (NRCMS) more than doubled between 2008 and 2018, increasing by 7.2 (p < 0.0001) and 7.4 (p < 0.0001) percentage points, respectively. Gaps in outpatient visits and inpatient admissions narrowed across the urban employee-based basic medical insurance scheme (UEBMI), URBMI, and NRCMS through 2008 to 2018, and by 2018 the gaps were small. The rate ratios of foregone inpatient care between NRCMS and UEBMI fell from 0.9 (p > 0.1) in 2008 to 0.8 (p < 0.0001) in 2018. Faster increases in outpatient and inpatient utilisation and greater reductions in foregone inpatient care were observed in poor groups than in wealthy groups within URBMI and NRCMS. However, the poor groups within UEBMI, URBMI, and NRCMS were always more likely to forego inpatient care in comparison with their wealthy counterparts. Conclusions Remarkable increases in healthcare utilisation of URBMI and NRCMS, especially among the poorest groups, were accompanied by improvements in inequality in healthcare utilisation across UEBMI, URBMI, and NRCMS, and in income-based inequality in healthcare utilisation within URBMI and NRCMS. However, the poor groups were always more likely to forego admission to hospital, as recommended by doctors. We suggest further focus on the foregoing admission care of the poor groups. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12939-022-01633-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Yan
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.,Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Yuanli Liu
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Min Cai
- Center for Health Statistics and Information, National Health Commission, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Qinqin Liu
- Center for Health Statistics and Information, National Health Commission, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Xueqin Xie
- Center for Health Statistics and Information, National Health Commission, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Keqin Rao
- China Health Economics Association, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Osei Afriyie D, Krasniq B, Hooley B, Tediosi F, Fink G. Equity in health insurance schemes enrollment in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Equity Health 2022; 21:21. [PMID: 35151323 PMCID: PMC8841076 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-021-01608-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ensuring access to essential quality health services and reducing financial hardship for all individuals regardless of their ability to pay are the main goals of universal health coverage. Various health insurance schemes have been recently implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to achieve both of these objectives. We systematically reviewed all available literature to assess the extent to which current health insurance schemes truly reach the poor and underserved populations in LMICs. Methods In the systematic review, we searched on PubMed, Web of Science, EconLit and Google Scholar to identify eligible studies which captured health insurance enrollment information in LMICs from 2010 up to September 2019. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and appraised included studies. The primary outcome of interest was health insurance enrollment of the most vulnerable populations relative to enrollment of the best-off subgroups. We classified households both with respect to their highest educational attainment and their relative wealth and used random-effects meta-analysis to estimate average enrollment gaps. Results 48 studies from 17 countries met the inclusion criteria. The average enrollment rate into health insurance schemes for vulnerable populations was 36% with an inter-quartile range of 26%. On average, across countries, households from the wealthiest subgroup had 61% higher odds (95% CI: 1.49 to 1.73) of insurance enrollment than households in the poorest group in the same country. Similarly, the most educated groups had 64% (95% CI: 1.32 to 1.95) higher odds of enrollment than the least educated groups. Conclusion The results of this study show that despite major efforts by governments, health insurance schemes in low-and middle-income countries are generally not reaching the targeted underserved populations and predominantly supporting better-off population groups. Current health insurance designs should be carefully scrutinized, and the extent to which health insurance can be used to support the most vulnerable populations carefully re-assessed by countries, which are aiming to use health insurance schemes as means to reach their UHC goals. Furthermore, studies exploring best practices to include vulnerable groups in health insurance schemes are needed. Registration Not available Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12939-021-01608-x.
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Serna BYH, Betancourt JAO, Soto OPL, Amaral RCD, Correa MDPC. Tendencia de la incidencia, mortalidad y años de vida ajustados por discapacidad del cáncer oral en América Latina. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1980-549720220034.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir la tendencia de la incidencia, mortalidad y los Años de Vida Ajustados por Discapacidad del cáncer oral en América Latina según género entre los años 2000 y 2020. Métodos: Este estudio ecológico extrajo información del cáncer oral de 20 países de América Latina de la base de datos GBD-2020. La carga del cáncer oral se describió según tasa estandarizada por edad (ASR) de incidencia, mortalidad y AVAD. Se estimaron las tendencias (Promedio de cambio porcentual anual — AAPC) en cada indicador, género y país, entre el 2000 y el 2020 usando el software Joint-point. Resultados: Entre 2000 y 2020, la mayor incidencia de cáncer oral (ASR) se presentó en Cuba (5,18), Brasil (4,38) y Uruguay (4,62). Los países con mayor mortalidad para ambos géneros fueron: Cuba (2,89), Brasil (2,71) y República Dominicana (2,58). Los AVAD registraron un promedio de 37,52 (Mujeres: 22,39; Hombres: 52,62). República Dominicana reporta tendencias crecientes en la incidencia (AAPC: Hombres: 2,2; Mujeres: 1,4), en la mortalidad (AAPC: Hombres: 1,8; Mujeres: 1,1), y en los AVAD (AAPC: Hombres: 1,0; Mujeres: 2,0). Costa Rica muestra tendencias decrecientes en los hombres en incidencia (AAPC: −1,3), mortalidad (AAPC: −1,6) y AVAD (AAPC: −1,8). Conclusiones: El cáncer oral muestra tendencias al aumento en: la incidencia en ambos sexos en 10 países, en la mortalidad y los AVAD en 6 países, mientras la afectación entre sexos no muestra diferencias en las tendencias.
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Elsawy A, Alkhalaf R, Binnjefan S, Alkhalaf K, Alhumaidan S, Haridy R. Temporomandibular Disorders: A cross Sectional Study into the Knowledge and Awareness Among Saudi Arabian Population. ARCHIVES OF PHARMACY PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.51847/fi0drot286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Serna BYH, Betancourt JAO, Soto OPL, Amaral RCD, Correa MDPC. Trends of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years of oral cancer in Latin America. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2022; 25:e220034. [DOI: 10.1590/1980-549720220034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the trend in incidence, mortality and Disability Adjusted Life Years of oral cancer in Latin America according to sex between 2000 and 2020. Methods: This ecological study extracted oral cancer information from 20 Latin American countries from the GBD-2020 database. Oral cancer burden was described by age-standardized rate (ASR) of incidence, mortality, and DALYs. The data was compared according to sex and countries. Trends (Average Annual Percentage Change-AAPC) were estimated for each indicator, sex, and country between 2000 and 2020 using Joint-point software. Results: Between 2000 and 2020, the highest incidence of oral cancer (ASR) occurred in Cuba (5.18), Brazil (4.38) and Uruguay (4.62). The countries with the highest mortality for both sexes were (ASR): Cuba (2.89), Brazil (2.71) and the Dominican Republic (2.58). The DALYs registered an average of 37.52 (Women: 22.39; Men: 52.62). The Dominican Republic reports increasing trends in incidence (AAPC: Men: 2.2; Women: 1.4), in mortality (AAPC: Men: 1.8; Women: 1.1), and in DALYs (AAPC: Men: 1.0; Women: 2.0). Costa Rica shows decreasing trends in men in incidence (AAPC: −1.3), mortality (AAPC: −1.6), and DALYs (AAPC: −1.8). Conclusion: Oral cancer shows increasing trends in: the incidence in both sexes in 10 countries, in mortality and DALYs in 6 countries, while the affectation between sexes does not show differences in trends.
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Estimating heterogeneous policy impacts using causal machine learning: a case study of health insurance reform in Indonesia. HEALTH SERVICES AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10742-021-00259-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractPolicymakers seeking to target health policies efficiently towards specific population groups need to know which individuals stand to benefit the most from each of these policies. While traditional approaches for subgroup analyses are constrained to only consider a small number of pre-defined subgroups, recently proposed causal machine learning (CML) approaches help explore treatment-effect heterogeneity in a more flexible yet principled way. Causal forests use a generalisation of the random forest algorithm to estimate heterogenous treatment effects both at the individual and the subgroup level. Our paper aims to explore this approach in the setting of health policy evaluation with strong observed confounding, applied specifically to the context of mothers’ health insurance enrolment in Indonesia. Comparing two health insurance schemes (subsidised and contributory) against no insurance, we find beneficial average impacts of enrolment in contributory health insurance on maternal health care utilisation and infant mortality, but no impact of subsidised health insurance. The causal forest algorithm identified significant heterogeneity in the impacts of contributory insurance, not just along socioeconomic variables that we pre-specified (indicating higher benefits for poorer, less educated, and rural women), but also according to some other characteristics not foreseen prior to the analysis, suggesting in particular important geographical impact heterogeneity. Our study demonstrates the power of CML approaches to uncover unexpected heterogeneity in policy impacts. The findings from our evaluation of past health insurance expansions can potentially guide the re-design of the eligibility criteria for subsidised health insurance in Indonesia.
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DInur-Schejter Y, Stepensky P. Social determinants of health and primary immunodeficiency. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021; 128:12-18. [PMID: 34628007 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are rare genetic conditions affecting the immune system. The rate of IEI and their presentation, course, and treatment are all affected by a multitude of social determinants, eventually affecting prognosis. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the social determinants affecting infectious susceptibility, genetic predisposition, diagnosis, and treatment of IEI. DATA SOURCES PubMed. STUDY SELECTIONS Search terms included "consanguinity," "social determinants," and "founder effect." Further studies were selected based on relevant citations. RESULTS Changes in climate and human behavior have modulated the spread of disease vectors and infectious organisms. Consanguinity increases the rate of autosomal recessive conditions, changes the distribution, and affects the severity of IEI. Access to sophisticated genetic and immunologic diagnostic modalities affects genetic counseling and timely diagnosis. Effective genetic counseling should address to the patient's genetic background and ethical code. Access to appropriate and timely treatment of immunodeficiencies is scarce in some regions of the world. CONCLUSION High consanguinity rate and reduced access to prophylactic measures increase the burden of immunodeficiencies in many low- and medium-income countries. Furthermore, poor access to diagnostic and treatment modalities in these regions adversely affects patients' prognosis. Increased awareness among health care professionals and the public and increased collaboration with Western countries aid in diagnosis of these conditions. Further advancements require improved public funding to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of IEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael DInur-Schejter
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cancer Immunotherapy, Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Polina Stepensky
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cancer Immunotherapy, Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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Ecer F, Pamucar D. MARCOS technique under intuitionistic fuzzy environment for determining the COVID-19 pandemic performance of insurance companies in terms of healthcare services. Appl Soft Comput 2021; 104:107199. [PMID: 34720778 PMCID: PMC8546419 DOI: 10.1016/j.asoc.2021.107199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Assessing and ranking private health insurance companies provides insurance agencies, insurance customers, and authorities with a reliable instrument for the insurance decision-making process. Moreover, because the world’s insurance sector suffers from a gap of evaluation of private health insurance companies during the COVID-19 outbreak, the need for a reliable, useful, and comprehensive decision tool is obvious. Accordingly, this article aims to identify insurance companies’ priority ranking in terms of healthcare services in Turkey during the COVID-19 outbreak through a multi-criteria performance evaluation methodology. Herein, alternatives are evaluated and then ranked as per 7 criteria and assessments of 5 experts. Experts’ judgments and assessments are full of uncertainties. We propose a Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution (MARCOS) technique under an intuitionistic fuzzy environment to rank insurance companies. The outcomes yielded ten insurance companies ranking in terms of healthcare services in the era of COVID-19. The payback period, premium price, and network are determined as the most crucial factors. Finally, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis is performed to verify the proposed methodology’s stability and effectiveness. The introduced approach met the insurance assessment problem during the COVID-19 pandemic very satisfactory manner based on sensitivity analysis findings.
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Peng Z, Zhu L. The impacts of health insurance on financial strain for people with chronic diseases. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1012. [PMID: 34051775 PMCID: PMC8164330 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to ongoing expenses for both short-term and long-term needs for health services, people with chronic diseases tend to struggle with financial hardship. Health insurance is employed as a useful tool in aiding people to solve such financial strain. This study aims to examine and compare the impacts of public and private health insurance on solving financial barriers for people with chronic diseases. Methods This research obtained an outpatient sample consisted of 1739 individuals and an inpatient sample consisted of 1034 individuals. We employed a Chi-square test and a two-sample T-test to explore differences in financial strain and insurance status between people with chronic diseases and those without. Then we adopted binary logistic regression technique to assess the impacts of different types of health insurance on outpatient and inpatient financial strain for people with chronic diseases. Results Our research has five key findings: first, people with chronic diseases were more likely to experience both the outpatient and inpatient financial strain (P < 0.01); second, public health insurance was found to reduce the outpatient financial strain; third, private health insurance was found to positively associate with inpatient financial barriers; fourth, Urban Employment Insurance (UEI) was expected to reduce both the outpatient and inpatient financial barriers, while self-paid private insurance (SPI) was positively associated with inpatient financial barriers; and fifth, income was identified as a positive predictor of having outpatient and inpatient financial strain. Conclusions Public health insurance has the potential to reduce the outpatient financial strain for people with chronic diseases. Private health insurance was identified as a positive predictor of inpatient financial strain for people with chronic diseases. Policy should be proposed to promote the capacity of public health insurance and explore the potential effects of private health insurance on solving the inpatient financial barriers faced by people with chronic diseases in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Peng
- Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Li Zhu
- School of Political Science and Public Administration, Guangxi University for Nationalities, Nanning, China.
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