Impact of socio-economic determinants of demand for health for investment purpose

Abstract

Ill-health either results in reduced work capacity or loss of days worked and either of these, ipso facto, results in loss of productivity to firms and society and loss of income to employees. Occupational health and safety practice is about prevention of work related illnesses and protection of workers from physical injury and industrial accidents. However, much of the recent discussions have focused more on prevention of industrial accidents and injury with little attention given to prevention of illnesses related to work. This paper explores this gap. The paper examines the impact of socio-economic factors on the demand for preventive medical services by employees. Primary data was used for the study: Questionnaires were administered and interviews conducted for the collection of the data. Using the convenient sampling method, 400 employees in Kumasi, Ghana, were sampled from the private-formal and informal sectors. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out. Multivariate analysis using multinomial logistic regression model was employed to estimate the impact of socio-economic factors influencing employees decision to seek preventive medical services. The study found income, free, and convenient access to medical services statistically significant and impacted positively on the demand for preventive medical services. Stakeholders should pay more attention to these variables when designing and reviewing health programmes that have impact on employees health investment decisions. Keywords: Health Capital, Preventive Medical Services, Health Investment, Employees.