Factors associated with willingness to pay for primary health care services in South Africa : a cross-sectional survey of medical schemes members
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Date
Authors
Thsehla, Evelyn M.M.
Hongoro, Charles
Miot, Jacqui
Kgasi, Kate
Marinda, Edmore
Maramba, Esnath
Chabi, Alister
Childs, Barry
Modupe, Olurotimi
Alaba, Olufunke
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
The cost of healthcare is an issue of concern for both consumers and funders of healthcare in South Africa. The country spends approximately 8% of GDP on health care. Health care is financed through the public sector which covers 86% of the population and the private sector which covers 14% of the population. Medical schemes are the main source of healthcare financing in the private sector. Services covered by medical schemes include chronic diseases, emergencies, diagnosis, and treatment of a selected number of diseases. Primary health care services such as screening are limited. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with members of medical schemes’ willingness to pay for a primary health care package in the private sector. A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst principal members of medical schemes between July and September 2020. All principal members with access to an online questionnaire were eligible to participate in this study. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with willingness to pay for primary health care services. A total of 6512 members of medical schemes participated in the study. Thirty-five percent of the participants were willing to pay for the primary health care package. Factors influencing willingness to pay included marital status, employment status, income and household size. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider socioeconomic factors when designing health care policies.
Description
AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS :
Data used for the study is available from the corresponding
author on reasonable request.
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 1 : STROBE Statement—checklist of items that should be included in reports of observational studies. SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 2 : Appendix B: Willingness to Pay Questionnaire.
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 1 : STROBE Statement—checklist of items that should be included in reports of observational studies. SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 2 : Appendix B: Willingness to Pay Questionnaire.
Keywords
Willingness to pay (WTP), Medical schemes, Health insurance, Primary healthcare (PHC), SDG-03: Good health and well-being, SDG-17: Partnerships for the goals
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being
SDG-17:Partnerships for the goals
SDG-17:Partnerships for the goals
Citation
Thsehla, E., Hongoro, C., Miot, J. et al. Factors Associated With Willingness to Pay for Primary Health Care Services in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Medical Schemes Members. Health Services Insights. 2024;17. doi: 10.1177/11786329241274479.