Health seeking behaviour and household health expenditures in Benin and Guinea: the equity implications of the Bamako Initiative

Int J Health Plann Manage. 1997 Jun:12 Suppl 1:S137-63. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1751(199706)12:1+<s137::aid-hpm469>3.3.co;2-7.

Abstract

Curative and preventive care utilization in Bamako Initiative health centres in Guinea and Benin increased significantly. Service based data and household survey results are compared and interpreted to evaluate the equity aspects of the Bamako Initiative programmes in these settings. Improvements in the use of preventive services are shared by the richer and poorer groups of the population. Inequities are more apparent regarding curative area. An important part of the population is not using Bamako Initiative Health Centres for financial reasons. However, the poor were found to use these Health Centres relatively more than richer socio-economic groups. Challenges of the future are identified and recommendations made as to how to tackle the problem of true indigence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benin
  • Developing Countries*
  • Financing, Personal
  • Guinea
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Expenditures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • National Health Programs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Social Justice
  • Socioeconomic Factors