OBJECTIVE: To identify common types of health service problems reported by South African adults during their most recent visit to a healthcare provider. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of South Africa's cross-sectional General Household Survey (GHS). SETTING: Nationally representative weighted sample of households in South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: 23,562 household representatives interviewed during the 2010 GHS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Problems experienced during the most recent visit to the usual healthcare provider. RESULTS: In total, 43.8% of participants reported experiencing at least one problem during their last visit; 19.1% reported multiple problems. The most common problems experienced were a long waiting time (34.8% of household representatives), needed drugs not being available (14.1%) and staff who were rude or uncaring or turned patients away (10.1%). Of the 73.6% of participants using public providers, 54.9% reported at least one problem; of the 26.4% of participants using private providers, only 18.0% reported a problem, usually cost. Similar differences in reported problems at public and private providers were reported for all racial/ethnic groups and income groups. Black Africans reported more problems than other population groups due in large part to being significantly more likely to use public providers. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing commonly reported problem areas-in particular, long waiting times, unavailable medications and staff who are perceived as being unfriendly-might help prevent delayed care seeking, increase the acceptability of healthcare services and reduce remaining health disparities in South Africa.
OBJECTIVE: To identify common types of health service problems reported by South African adults during their most recent visit to a healthcare provider. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of South Africa's cross-sectional General Household Survey (GHS). SETTING: Nationally representative weighted sample of households in South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: 23,562 household representatives interviewed during the 2010 GHS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Problems experienced during the most recent visit to the usual healthcare provider. RESULTS: In total, 43.8% of participants reported experiencing at least one problem during their last visit; 19.1% reported multiple problems. The most common problems experienced were a long waiting time (34.8% of household representatives), needed drugs not being available (14.1%) and staff who were rude or uncaring or turned patients away (10.1%). Of the 73.6% of participants using public providers, 54.9% reported at least one problem; of the 26.4% of participants using private providers, only 18.0% reported a problem, usually cost. Similar differences in reported problems at public and private providers were reported for all racial/ethnic groups and income groups. Black Africans reported more problems than other population groups due in large part to being significantly more likely to use public providers. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing commonly reported problem areas-in particular, long waiting times, unavailable medications and staff who are perceived as being unfriendly-might help prevent delayed care seeking, increase the acceptability of healthcare services and reduce remaining health disparities in South Africa.
Authors: Maria Steenland; Janeth Dula; Amanda de Albuquerque; Quinhas Fernandes; Rosa Marlene Cuco; Sergio Chicumbe; Eduardo Samo Gudo; Sandra Sequeira; Margaret McConnell Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2019-11-25
Authors: Yolandie Kriel; Cecilia Milford; Joanna Paula Cordero; Fatima Suleman; Petrus S Steyn; Jennifer Ann Smit Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2021-11-18 Impact factor: 2.655