Socioeconomic Status Affecting Inequity of Healthcare Utilisation in Malaysia
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Socioeconomic Status Affecting Inequity of Healthcare Utilisation in Malaysia
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Nurul Salwana Abu Bakar, Adilius Manual, Jabrullah Ab Hamid
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Socioeconomic Status Affecting Inequity of Healthcare Utilisation in Malaysia
Year: 2019 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.4.9
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Equity in healthcare is essential for achieving universal health coverage (UHC), which ensures that all individuals can access necessary health services without facing financial hardship. This study explores the role of socioeconomic status (SES) on healthcare utilization, focusing on inpatient, outpatient, and dental care in Malaysia over three decades, from 1986 to 2015. The findings aim to assess how SES influences access to healthcare services, demonstrating the ongoing challenges and disparities faced by different income groups in the country.
The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Healthcare Utilization
The study's results reveal significant disparities in healthcare utilization linked to SES. While public healthcare services displayed a pro-poor trend, particularly among low-income individuals, private sector utilization remained predominantly pro-rich throughout the survey period. For instance, inpatient and outpatient care in public facilities showed increased usage among poorer populations, whereas affluent groups significantly favored private services, largely accessible due to their financial capacity. Dental care, on the other hand, consistently favored wealthy individuals, highlighting access issues faced by lower-income groups. These findings reflect a changing pattern of healthcare access influenced by SES, underscoring the crucial need for equity-focused strategies to enhance health service accessibility for all.
Conclusion
The overall health service utilization in Malaysia appears nearly equal across socioeconomic segments on a macro level, yet underlying inequities persist due to the contrasting trends observed in public and private healthcare systems. The pro-poor utilization of public services has not adequately offset the pro-rich utilization in the private sector, especially for inpatient care, leading to continued disparities in healthcare access. It is imperative for policymakers to develop strategies aimed at bridging this gap, particularly by enhancing private sector accessibility for lower-income populations, thereby promoting a more equitable healthcare landscape and improving health outcomes across all socioeconomic groups.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the aim of the study on healthcare utilization?
The study aims to assess equity in the utilization of inpatient, outpatient, and dental care based on household socioeconomic status (SES) over time, particularly using data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey from 1986 to 2015.
How was socioeconomic status determined in this study?
Socioeconomic status was determined using the consumption per adult equivalents approach, which accounts for household expenditure variables, factoring in the total number of adults and children in the household.
What were the key findings regarding inpatient care utilization?
The study found that overall inpatient care utilization showed a pro-poor trend, especially in the years 1996 and 2006, though the public sector demonstrated pro-poor service utilization compared to private providers, which remained pro-rich.
What policies could improve healthcare equity in Malaysia?
To improve equity, strategies should focus on increasing accessibility to private healthcare sectors, which are currently utilized predominantly by wealthier populations, and addressing service availability for lower SES groups to enhance overall health outcomes.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Socioeconomic Status Affecting Inequity of Healthcare Utilisation in Malaysia”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Table:
The term 'Table' refers to a structured representation of data, typically used in research to organize information for clarity and comparison. In the context of health research, it can display statistics and findings related to healthcare utilization, socioeconomic status, and other relevant metrics, facilitating analysis and interpretation of the data presented.
2) Rich (Rch):
The word 'Rich' denotes individuals or entities with substantial financial resources. In this study, it refers to the wealthiest socioeconomic status (SES) group that tends to utilize private healthcare services more frequently than poorer groups. Understanding this dynamic is vital for addressing healthcare inequities in Malaysia's healthcare system.
3) Pur:
The term 'Poor' signifies individuals or populations with limited financial means. In health contexts, this group often relies heavily on public healthcare services due to affordability constraints. This study examines the healthcare utilization patterns between the poor and rich, highlighting the inequities in access to necessary medical services.
4) Study (Studying):
The word 'Study' indicates a systematic investigation into a specific issue or hypothesis. In this context, the study aims to assess the equity of healthcare utilization across different socioeconomic segments in Malaysia over time, utilizing data from multiple health surveys. It provides insights into public and private healthcare disparities.
5) Visit:
'Visit' refers to instances of individuals seeking healthcare services, whether for outpatient, inpatient, or dental care. In this research, the frequency of visits is analyzed to understand how healthcare utilization patterns differ among various socioeconomic groups, providing evidence for policy improvements and addressing equity in health services.
6) Developing:
The term 'Developing' characterizes nations with lower income levels and less advanced industrialization. In the context of healthcare, developing countries often face challenges in providing equitable access to services. The study contextualizes Malaysia's healthcare dynamics within this framework, comparing it with trends observed in other developing nations.
7) Adhikarin (Adhikari):
'Adhikari' is a surname appearing in the references, likely denoting one of the authors or researchers involved in the study. In citing specific researchers, the term underscores the collaborative effort in conducting health inequity research, emphasizing their contributions to understanding socioeconomic disparities in healthcare utilization.
8) Annal:
'Annal' refers to an annual record of events or data. In health research, it often relates to publications that provide yearly updates on health statistics, findings, and trends. This study utilizes data from multiple years, which may be represented in tables that summarize such annual records for analysis.
9) Quality:
'Quality' refers to the standard of healthcare services received by individuals. It encompasses aspects like effectiveness, safety, and patient satisfaction. Understanding how quality varies across socioeconomic groups is crucial for addressing disparities in healthcare utilization and ensuring equitable access to high-standard healthcare for all populations.
10) India:
The word 'India' is mentioned as a comparative context for examining healthcare inequities. Utilizing findings from India helps situate Malaysia's healthcare utilization patterns within a broader regional framework, showcasing similar trends of disparities between rich and poor populations, and informing approaches to improve health service equity.
11) Rules:
'Rules' refer to established guidelines and norms that govern healthcare practices and policies. In the context of this study, understanding the rules that dictate healthcare accessibility can help identify barriers for low-income populations, thus facilitating the development of more equitable health policies and practices.
12) Education:
The term 'Education' signifies an essential factor influencing socioeconomic status and, consequently, healthcare access and utilization. Higher levels of education often correlate with better health literacy, which can impact an individual's ability to effectively navigate healthcare systems and seek necessary services, thereby affecting overall health outcomes.
13) Relative:
'Relative' indicates a comparative assessment between different entities or groups. In this study, it may pertain to comparing the healthcare utilization levels of different socioeconomic groups. Understanding relative utilization is vital for recognizing disparities and formulating strategies to enhance equity in healthcare access.
14) Reason:
The word 'Reason' suggests the underlying motivations or factors contributing to a specific outcome. In healthcare contexts, reasons for variations in service utilization can illuminate systemic issues, such as socioeconomic barriers, that must be addressed to improve equitable access to healthcare services across different population segments.
15) Sah:
'Shah' is likely part of an individual's name mentioned in the research, possibly an author or key contributor. The inclusion of such names emphasizes the collaboration and expertise brought into the study, which aids in elucidating health disparities and socioeconomic influences on healthcare utilization in the region.
16) Post:
The term 'Post' refers to the aftermath or consequences following an event, often used in discussions regarding healthcare interventions. In this study's context, the post-implementation effects of health policies can be analyzed to assess their impact on equity and the utilization of healthcare services across socioeconomic demographics.
17) Discussion:
'Discussion' represents a section of research where findings are interpreted and implications are explored. This segment is crucial for contextualizing results within existing literature, identifying gaps, and providing recommendations for future research and policy changes aimed at addressing health inequalities.
18) Composite:
'Composite' refers to a combination of elements used to form a whole. In healthcare studies, it can pertain to composite indices that measure factors like health outcomes and socioeconomic status. Understanding composite measures is essential for evaluating equity and disparities in healthcare utilization across different demographic groups.
19) Account:
'Account' implies an explanation or representation of something. In healthcare research, taking into account various factors—like socioeconomic status, education, and location—is fundamental for comprehensively understanding disparities in service utilization and for crafting solutions to improve equity across populations.
20) Lanka (Lamka, Lànkà):
The term 'Lanka', likely referencing Sri Lanka, serves as a comparative reference point in healthcare analyses. The inclusion of Lanka indicates a broader regional exploration of health systems, helping to draw insights on healthcare utilization disparities and strategies that could be relevant for Malaysia.
21) Male:
'Male' refers to the gender category, which can significantly influence healthcare utilization patterns. In studies examining healthcare access, gender disparities often emerge, necessitating gender-sensitive approaches in healthcare policy and programs to ensure equitable usage of healthcare resources across all demographic groups.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Socioeconomic Status Affecting Inequity of Healthcare Utilisation in Malaysia’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Health, Public health, Equity, Healthcare system, Dental health, Health care, Socioeconomic status, Public Sector, Private sector, Developing countries, National sample survey, Health policy, Dental care, Health care system, Universal Health Coverage, Equitable access, Healthcare equity, PMC free article, PubMed, Google Scholar, Health service, Health outcome, Economic aspect, Inpatient care, Ambulatory care, Health insurance, Survey methodology, Out of pocket payment, Healthcare cost, Healthcare utilisation, Health Care Service, Health coverage, National Health and Morbidity Survey, Health care cost, Health equity, Health sector, Outpatient care, Dental health services, Socioeconomic status (SES), Dental care utilization, Healthcare service, Universal health care.