Abstract
Background and Aim:While most of the published researches have reported the amount of inequity in geographical distribution of important health resources, only a small number of studies have focused on the trend of inequality in the distribution of these resources.The purpose of this study was to determine the trend of inequality in the distribution of intensive care beds in Iran during 2010 to 2012 by using the Gini coefficient.Methods:This is a cross-sectional research conducted in 2013. The changes over three years (2010 to 2012) were calculated by Gini coefficient to investigate the trend of inequality in geographical distribution of intensive care beds (CCU, ICU and NICU).Results:The Gini coefficient for CCU beds was calculated as 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The Gini coefficient for ICU beds was calculated as 0.03, 0.05 and 0.05 in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Also, the Gini coefficient for NICU bed was calculated as 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.Conclusion:Regarding to Gini coefficient, the trend of inequality was increased in the distribution of intensive care beds in Iran. Particularly, the inequalities in distribution of CCU beds were significantly increased during past years. In fact, if this trend of inequality continues, the distribution of intensive care beds will be extremely unequal in the next five years in Iran.
Highlights
Background and AimWhile most of the published researches have reported the amount of inequity in geographical distribution of important health resources, only a small number of studies have focused on the trend of inequality in the distribution of these resources.The purpose of this study was to determine the trend of inequality in the distribution of intensive care beds inIran during 2010 to 2012 by using the Gini coefficient
Regarding to Gini coefficient, the trend of inequality was increased in the distribution of intensive care beds in Iran
According to the prior studies (Ameryoun et al, 2011; He et al, 2013), the Gini coefficient is calculated by the following formula: Where X was the cumulative percentage of the population and Y was the cumulative percentage of each type of intensive care beds
Summary
Background and AimWhile most of the published researches have reported the amount of inequity in geographical distribution of important health resources, only a small number of studies have focused on the trend of inequality in the distribution of these resources.The purpose of this study was to determine the trend of inequality in the distribution of intensive care beds inIran during 2010 to 2012 by using the Gini coefficient. Inequality in health services in different countries has taken the form of a global challenge (Mackenbach et al., 2008; Tang et al, 2008) affected by various factors, including individual, social and geographical variables (Mackenbach et al, 2003; Marmot, 2001). These factors are stronger in developing countries (Balarajan et al., 2011) so much so that the geographical distribution of health in developing countries has turned into a fundamental issue. The measurement of fair distribution of health services on top of previous measures has been emphasized by World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 2000)
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