Methodological challenges in evaluating health care financing equity in data-poor contexts : lessons from Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania

Date

2009

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Emerald Group Publishing, Bingley, GB

Abstract

The objective of the study was measurement of the incidence of health financing contributions across socio-economic groups; this information is valuable input for health care financing reforms. Some of the challenges faced when carrying out financing incidence analyses (FIA) in Ghana, Tanzania, and South Africa, are outlined in this article, along with innovative techniques that were used to overcome data weaknesses. FIA was carried out for tax, insurance and out-of-pocket (OOP) payments. In terms of policy implications, findings show that data constraints can be overcome for FIA in lower income countries, and recommendations are provided for future studies.

Description

Keywords

HEALTH INSURANCE, HEALTH FINANCING, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS, TAXES, OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENDITURE, SOCIAL EQUITY, INCIDENCE ANALYSIS, DATA POOR CONTEXT

Citation

DOI