Access to health care in post-apartheid South Africa: availability, affordability, acceptability

Health Economics, Policy, and Law
R Burger, Carmen Christian

Abstract

We use a reliable, intuitive and simple set of indicators to capture three dimensions of access - availability, affordability and acceptability. Data are from South Africa's 2009 and 2010 General Household Surveys (n=190,164). Affordability constraints were faced by 23% and are more concentrated amongst the poorest. However, 73% of affordability constraints are due to travel costs which are aligned with findings of the availability constraints dimension. Availability constraints, involving distances and transport costs, particularly in underdeveloped rural areas, and inconvenient opening times, were faced by 27%. Acceptability constraints were noted by only 10%. We approximate acceptability with an indicator measuring the share of community members bypassing the closest health care facility, as we argue that reported health care provider choice is more reliable than stated preferences. However, the indicator assumes a choice of available and affordable providers, which may often not be an accurate assumption in rural areas. We recommend further work on the measurement of acceptability in household surveys, especially considering this dimension's importance for health reform.

References

Feb 1, 1981·Medical Care·R Penchansky, J W Thomas
Dec 13, 2007·International Journal of Health Services : Planning, Administration, Evaluation·Lucy Gilson, Di McIntyre
Feb 4, 2009·Health Economics, Policy, and Law·Di McIntyreStephen Birch
Mar 4, 2009·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Jane GoudgeAnne Mills
Nov 15, 2011·International Journal for Equity in Health·John E AtagubaDi McIntyre
Jun 3, 2014·Human Resources for Health·Hendrik C J van Rensburg

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 28, 2019·Tobacco Control·May C I van SchalkwykFilippos T Filippidis
Dec 13, 2018·International Journal for Equity in Health·Kehinde O Omotoso, Steven F Koch
Jul 18, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·David Mhlanga, Rufaro Garidzirai
Apr 22, 2021·Cancer Causes & Control : CCC·Jaques van HeerdenUNKNOWN SACCSG Neuroblastoma Workgroup
Apr 28, 2021·BMC Health Services Research·Muhammad OsmanMarian Loveday
Jul 7, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Abiodun Olusola OmotayoAdebola Saidat Daud

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH
Helen SchneiderStephen Birch
South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
J Sarkin
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
S Z Kaliski, T Zabow
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved