Demand For and Supply of Public Health Services in Eastern Region of Afghanistan
Journal Title: Isra Medical Journal - Year 2018, Vol 10, Issue 3
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the supply of and demand for and access to public health services in public clinics of three provinces. STUDY DESIGN: A survey based observational study using cluster sampling. PLACE AND DURATION: The study was conducted by Research and Development Department of Alfalah University Jalalabad Afghanistan and conducted in Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman provinces during six months i.e. from 4th April, 2017 to 30th September, 2017. METHODOLOGY: Data was collected from 30 health facilities in 15 districts of the three provinces using interviewer administered structured questionnaire containing questions about supply of and demand for public health services in BHCs, CHCs and DHs. Clinics located in districts with moderate and low security risk was included in the study. A total of 17 closed ended questions were used as proxy variables to assess the provision/supply of and use/demand for public health services. RESULTS: The absolute majority of public health clinics at district level face deficiencies in the number of health staff, medicine, medical equipments and infrastructural resources. Among patients visiting public health facilities, the most vulnerable groups are children (73.3%) and women (23.3%). Although the clinics do not offer 24 hours services, the patients with wound or burn more than 5 percent of human body are referred to higher level of medical intervention. The quality of medicine prescribed and provided at health facilities does not comply with the expectations of doctors putting the reputation of doctors at risk. To finance the supply side of health services, majority of the health staff (86.7%) supported the idea of charging a reasonable amount of fees on patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable gap between supply of public health services at district levels and the demand for these services. The number of daily visiting patients is disproportional to the extent of health services available. The quality of medicine prescribed is not effective and the health staff is not sufficient to reach and address the health needs of the public. Among the clinics, comprehensive health centers (CHCs) need X-ray and ultrasound machines. KEY WORDS: Public Health, Health Facilities, Medical Equipment, Medicine, Health Staff HOW TO CITE THIS: Din SU. Demand For and Supply of Public Health Services in Eastern Region of Afghanistan. Isra Med J. 2018; 10(3): 171-176.
Authors and Affiliations
Shams Ud Din
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP510964
- DOI -
- Views 80
- Downloads 1
Diabetic Dyslipidaemia and Hypolipidaemic Effect of Turmeric in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats Original Research Article
OBJECTIVES: To determine serum lipid lowering effect of turmeric in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. STUDY DESIGN: A Randomized controlled trial (experimental animal study) PLACE AND DURATION: Conducted at Postgraduate Med...
Impact of Mindfulness on Mental Health of Patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Mindfulness on Mental Health of Patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. S TUDY DESIGN: A Correlational study design. PLACE AND DURATION: The study was completed in six months...
Frequency of Bone Marrow Involvement in Different Stages of Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma (Dlbcl)
OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of bone marrow involvement in different stages of diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients. STUDY DESIGN: A cross sectional interventional study. PLACE AND DURATION: At Oncology Departmen...
A Study of Prevalence and Risk Factors of Polycythemia in Neonatal Nursery in Duhok
OBJECTIVE: To find the prevalence of neonatal polycythemia among neonates admitted to the neonatal nursery, the predisposing factors and the leading causes of admission associated with polycythemia. STUDY DESIGN: A retro...
Role of Topical Diltiazem and Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate in Chronic Anal Fissure
OBJECTIVE: To compare the role of topical diltiazem and glyceryltrinitrate in terms of healing in chronic anal fissure. STUDY DESIGN: A Randomized Control Trial PLACE AND DURATION: Department of Surgery, Benazir Bhutto H...