Analysis of health seeking behaviour on effective delivery of health services under capitation scheme in Kenya

Priscilla Nduku Wangai,Amos Njuguna,Joseph Ngugi

doi:10.20525/ijrbs.v8i6.502

Abstract

Under capitation health scheme, a member freely selects a health facility from which to seek health services. There is no restriction of the number of times a member seeks health services from the facility within the contract period. This has affected delivery of health service under capitation contracting. This paper documents a quantitative analysis of the effect of health seeking behaviour on effective delivery of health services. Since human behaviour is assumed to be a natural phenomena, a philosophical view of positivism w?s ?dopted in this research. Accordingly, a scientific approach was used to deduce the influence of health seeking behaviour on the metrics of effectiveness. Out of 1152 health facilities accredited to offer primary healthcare in Kenya, data was collected from a sample of 297 health units using closed ended questionnaires. Logit regression analysis on the data revealed that congestion in out-patient department had a negative effect on quality of health services delivered but a positive effect on accessibility and affordability of the services. Increased frequency of consultation had a negative effect on all the three measures of effectiveness; quality, accessibility and affordability of health service delivery. Corresponding odds ratios were 0.173, 1.105 and 1.295 respectively.

Highlights

Delivery of quality, accessible and affordable health services in developing economies is a vexing problem and is normally frustrated by the high cost of health care (Moreno-Serra & Smith, 2012)
While governments of most developing economies are employing initiatives that ensure health services delivered to citizens are effective, at individual level, the extend of utilization of health services is depended on many factors such as cost of healthcare and the purchasing power of households which on the other hand is influencing health seeking behavior (Boor, 2003)
Type of ownership is a significant consideration by member this study considers it as a moderating factor in health seeking behaviour as depicted in the conceptual framework in figure 1

Summary

Introduction

Accessible and affordable health services in developing economies is a vexing problem and is normally frustrated by the high cost of health care (Moreno-Serra & Smith, 2012). The global economy expenditure on health as of financial year 2014 stood at 8.4% with the low-income countries spending 7.3% (IHME, 2016). Report by WHO (2010) document that total health expenditure by the African economies as of 2010 was US$ 135 per capita. In 2016, the total external aid extended to low-income countries was $37.6 billion (IHME, 2016). While governments of most developing economies are employing initiatives that ensure health services delivered to citizens are effective, at individual level, the extend of utilization of health services is depended on many factors such as cost of healthcare and the purchasing power of households which on the other hand is influencing health seeking behavior (Boor, 2003)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion