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Utilization of health care in an African urban area: Results from a household survey in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso

Author

Listed:
  • Develay, A.
  • Sauerborn, R.
  • Diesfeld, H. J.

Abstract

This study analysed the level of utilization of different kinds of health care providers, and its correlates, by people reporting an illness via a household health survey in a representative sample of 547 households (3667 persons) in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso in 1989. More than one-fourth of the sample reported suffering from a health care problem in the 2-week period preceding the interview. Self care was the most frequently reported type of care received (55.6%). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression revealed that the principal determinants of the utilization of modern care givers were age, socio-economic level, illness characteristics (type, length, severity), and cost of care and transportation. In particular, we found that: (1) Even though the family remained the main provider of care in case of minor (mild and short) illnesses, it did not prevent modern health facilities from playing their curative role in case of serious illnesses. (2) Residential zone (central versus peripheral zone) was not significantly associated with health care choice, which was contrary to expectation. (3) On the other hand, socio-economic status strongly affected health-seeking behavior. (4) The travel pattern of the ill persons favored health care facilities in the central zone. Taken together, the results of this study question the role of community health workers in the urban program of community health care which was in the process of being implemented at the time of the study. They suggest that the family, instead of the community health workers, should be seen as the provider of curative care for minor illnesses. Community health workers may have a more effective role in health education than in curative tasks.

Suggested Citation

  • Develay, A. & Sauerborn, R. & Diesfeld, H. J., 1996. "Utilization of health care in an African urban area: Results from a household survey in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 43(11), pages 1611-1619, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:43:y:1996:i:11:p:1611-1619
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    Cited by:

    1. Mary Ngendo Mwami & Martine Odhiambo Oleche, 2017. "Determinants of Utilization of Health Care Services in Kenya," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(10), pages 132-156, October.
    2. Sato, Azusa, 2012. "Do Inequalities in Health Care Utilization in Developing Countries Change When We Take into Account Traditional Medicines?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(11), pages 2275-2289.
    3. Pouliot, Mariève & Treue, Thorsten, 2013. "Rural People’s Reliance on Forests and the Non-Forest Environment in West Africa: Evidence from Ghana and Burkina Faso," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 180-193.
    4. Ardeshir Sepehri & Robert Chernomas, 2001. "Are user charges efficiency- and equity-enhancing? A critical review of economic literature with particular reference to experience from developing countries," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(2), pages 183-209.
    5. Pouliot, Mariève, 2011. "Relying on nature’s pharmacy in rural Burkina Faso: Empirical evidence of the determinants of traditional medicine consumption," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(10), pages 1498-1507.
    6. Anne Case & Alicia Menendez & Cally Ardington, 2005. "Health Seeking Behavior in Northern KwaZulu-Natal," Working Papers 165, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    7. Yvonne Beaugé & Manuela De Allegri & Samiratou Ouédraogo & Emmanuel Bonnet & Naasegnibe Kuunibe & Valéry Ridde, 2020. "Do Targeted User Fee Exemptions Reach the Ultra-Poor and Increase their Healthcare Utilisation? A Panel Study from Burkina Faso," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-21, September.
    8. Sato, Azusa, 2012. "Does socio-economic status explain use of modern and traditional health care services?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(8), pages 1450-1459.
    9. Erlyana, Erlyana & Damrongplasit, Kannika Kampanya & Melnick, Glenn, 2011. "Expanding health insurance to increase health care utilization: Will it have different effects in rural vs. urban areas?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(2), pages 273-281.
    10. Idrissa Beogo & Chieh-Yu Liu & Yiing-Jenq Chou & Chuan-Yu Chen & Nicole Huang, 2014. "Health-Care-Seeking Patterns in the Emerging Private Sector in Burkina Faso: A Population-Based Study of Urban Adult Residents in Ouagadougou," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(5), pages 1-11, May.
    11. Lourdes Diaz Olvera & Didier Plat & Pascal Pochet, 2011. "Se déplacer pour se soigner. Pratiques et obstacles à Conakry et Douala," Post-Print halshs-00733353, HAL.

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