scholarly journals Assessing the role of the private sector in surveillance for malaria elimination in Haiti and the Dominican Republic: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Sidibe ◽  
Alysse Maglior ◽  
Carmen Cueto ◽  
Ingrid Chen ◽  
Arnaud Le Menach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Elimination ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Private Providers ◽  
Private Health Sector ◽  
Ongoing Support ◽  
Care Seeking Behaviour

Abstract Background Haiti and the Dominican Republic (DR) are targeting malaria elimination by 2022. The private health sector has been relatively unengaged in these efforts, even though most primary health care in Haiti is provided by non-state actors, and many people use traditional medicine. Data on private health sector participation in malaria elimination efforts are lacking, as are data on care-seeking behaviour of patients in the private health sector. This study sought to describe the role of private health sector providers, care-seeking behaviour of individuals at high risk of malaria, and possible means of engaging the private health sector in Hispaniola’s malaria elimination efforts. Methods In-depth interviews with 26 key informants (e.g. government officials), 62 private providers, and 63 patients of private providers, as well as 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members, were conducted within seven study sites in Haiti and the DR. FGDs focused on local definitions of the private health sector and identified private providers for interview recruitment, while interviews focused on private health sector participation in malaria elimination activities and treatment-seeking behaviour of febrile individuals. Results Interviews revealed that self-medication is the most common first step in the trajectory of care for fevers in both Haiti and the DR. Traditional medicine is more commonly used in Haiti than in the DR, with many patients seeking care from traditional healers before, during, and/or after care in the formal health sector. Private providers were interested in participating in malaria elimination efforts but emphasized the need for ongoing support and training. Key informants agreed that the private health sector needs to be engaged, especially traditional healers in Haiti. The Haitian migrant population was reported to be one of the most at-risk groups by participants from both countries. Conclusion Malaria elimination efforts across Hispaniola could be enhanced by engaging traditional healers in Haiti and other private providers with ongoing support and trainings; directing educational messaging to encourage proper treatment-seeking behaviour; and refining cross-border strategies for surveillance of the high-risk migrant population. Increasing distribution of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and bi-therapy to select private health sector facilities, accompanied by adopting regulatory policies, could help increase numbers of reported and correctly treated malaria cases.

scholarly journals Why it is time to review the role of private health insurance in Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Michael Roff ◽  
Leonie Segal
Keyword(s):  
Diagnosis Related Groups ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Private Health Sector ◽  
Recent Addition ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health Review

TO THE EDITOR: Since its introduction on 1 January 1999, the 30% rebate has been the subject of much misleading comment by the opponents of the private health sector. A recent addition to these ranks was published in the first edition for 2004 of Australian Health Review (Segal 2004). There is no real attempt at balance in the article. While Segal argues that the rebate has failed to take the pressure off public hospitals, we are not told, for example, that almost one-in-five extra patients admitted by public hospitals in the three years to 2002-03 were actually private patients! Similarly, the article is littered with generalisations and, in some cases, misleading or completely incorrect statements, such as ?Private hospitals do not offer a complete hospital service . . .? Even a cursory examination of the available national data indicates that private hospitals provide services in all but 7 of the 654 diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) recorded. Private hospitals perform all the remaining 647 DRGs.

Globalization and Health Policy in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Cleary ◽  
Di McIntyre ◽  
Stephen Thomas
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Private Health Sector

AbstractThis paper considers influences of globalization on three relevant health policy issues in South Africa, namely, private health sector growth, health professional migration, and pharmaceutical policy. It considers the relative role of key domestic and global actors in health policy development around these issues. While South Africa has not been subject to the overt health policy pressure from international organizations experienced by governments in many other low- and middle-income countries, global influence on South Africa's macroeconomic policy has had a profound, albeit indirect, effect on our health policies. Ultimately, this has constrained South Africa's ability to achieve its national health goals.

scholarly journals Insights into health care seeking behaviour for children in communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Haskins ◽  
Merridy Grant ◽  
Sifiso Phakathi ◽  
Aurene Wilford ◽  
Ngcwalisa Jama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Sick Child ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Health Care Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Sick Children ◽  
Care Seeking Behaviour

Background: South African infant and child mortality remains high, with many deaths occurring outside the formal health services. Delayed health care seeking represents a large proportion of these deaths.Aim: To generate knowledge about the role of, and influences on, caregivers with regard to decision-making about when and where to seek care for sick children.Setting: Two communities in KwaZulu-Natal.Methods: A qualitative, exploratory design employing participatory research techniques was used to undertake focus group discussions with community members.Results: Health care seeking for a sick child was described as a complex process influenced by multiple carers using multiple providers. Decision-making about seeking health care for a sick child was not an individual effort, but was shared with others in the household and guided by how the symptoms were perceived, either a Western illness or African illness. A sick child could either be treated at home or be taken to a variety of places including clinics, private doctors, traditional healers, faith healers and hospitals. Traditional healers were associated with the treatment of illnesses perceived to be traditional. Few participants said that they would take their child back to the original health provider if the child remained ill, but would move from one provider to another until the child’s health improved.Conclusion: The formal health system needs to ensure that sick children are identified and managed appropriately to reduce child deaths. Knowledge and understanding of health care seeking behaviour for sick children by carers is an important aspect. Interventions need to be designed with these contextual issues in mind.

Health care seeking behaviour and utilisation of traditional healers in Kalabo, Zambia

Health Policy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelle Stekelenburg ◽  
Bastiaan E. Jager ◽  
Pascal R. Kolk ◽  
Esther H.M.N. Westen ◽  
Anke van der Kwaak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Care Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Care Seeking Behaviour

scholarly journals The Role of Private Health Sector for Tuberculosis Control in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Alemayehu Reta ◽  
Addis Simachew
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Private Provider ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Tuberculosis Control ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Private Health Sector ◽  
Debre Markos

Background. Tuberculosis has been declared to be a global epidemic. Despite all the effort, only less than half the annual estimated cases are reported by health authorities to the WHO. This could be due to poor reporting from the private sector. In Ethiopia, tuberculosis has also been a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the private health sector in tuberculosis control in Debre Markos. Methods. An institution based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in private health facilities. A total of 260 tuberculosis suspects attending the private clinics were interviewed. Focus group discussion, checklist, and structured questionnaire were used. Results. Majority of the private clinics were less equipped, poorly regulated, and owned by health workers who were self-employed on a part-time basis. Provider delay of 4 and more months was significantly associated higher likelihood of turning to a private provider (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = (1.20, 6.08)). Conclusions and Recommendations. There is significant delay among tuberculosis patients. Moreover, there is poor regulation of the private health sector by public health authorities. The involvement of the private sector in tuberculosis control should be limited to identification and refer to tuberculosis cases and suspects.

Private Health Sector Assessment in Kenya

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Barnes ◽  
Barbar O'Hanlon ◽  
Frank Feeley ◽  
McKeon Kimberly ◽  
Gitonga Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Sector ◽  
Private Health Sector
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