Boonkert Nguanboonmak. Equity in health and health care in universal health coverage program : a case study of Nakhon Pathom province . Master's Degree(Medical and Health Social Sciences). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
Equity in health and health care in universal health coverage program : a case study of Nakhon Pathom province
Abstract:
This study has aimed to investigate the equity in health and health care
concerning utilization, accessibility and quality of health services among different
social groups. In addition, this study has also explored the effect of Universal Health
Coverage Program to equity in health care. The data have been collected in
Nakhonpathom province using questionnaire survey. A total of 650 individuals aged 18
years up have been interviewed.
The results revealed that people in the less privileged groups perceived that
they had poor health status more than the better groups. In addition, it was significantly
found that the group of elderly people, uneducated and those holding free gold card
perceived themselves as having more chronic diseases than the other groups. When
considering service utilization, it was revealed that most of people who were in urban
area, rich, bachelor degree graduated, government /state enterprise officials, female,
aged between 30-39 years, and people who were holding social security card always
used public hospital and private clinic’s services. Whereas the groups of poor and
lower socio-economic groups preferred to visit district hospitals and health centres. As
for the people in rural areas and the group of agriculturists, they have been seeking care
at their privileged health stations which were located rather far when compared to the
other groups. However, people in urban area, housewives and those not covered by
health insurance scheme spent more traveling times than the other groups. It was found
that rural people, people with primary education attainment, employees, agriculturists,
and the poor had to face with financial in access to health care services more than the
other groups. Barriers for the respects treated by physician, it was revealed that about a
half of the sample group perceived as they received only a moderate level of respects.
Interestingly, male group and those with social security card received more respects
when compared with the other groups. Most of the sample group felt that physicians
giving opportunity to involve in decision making, but it could meet their needs at a
moderate level. The physicians had given less or none of opportunity in decision
making to the group of people of aged 18-29 years, those with primary education
attainment, and the unemployed when compared to the other groups. Although the 30
Baht scheme could not convince most of the sample group to use more health care
services and had opportunity to receive health care of a better quality. But it helps to
facilitate them to be easier and more convenient to access the services. Accordingly,
the Thai government should make a strong effort on encouraging most of health
personnel to recognize and realize the significance of services for the poor and lower
socio-economic groups, so that equity in health care can be achieved.