Buor Daniel
Faculty of Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Int J Health Plann Manage. 2003 Oct-Dec;18(4):293-311. doi: 10.1002/hpm.729.
Although the distance factor has been identified as key in the utilization of health services in rural areas of developing countries, it has been analysed without recourse to related factors of travel time and transport cost. Also, the influence of distance on vulnerable groups in utilization has not been an object of survey by researchers. This paper addresses the impact of distance on utilization, and how distance compares with travel time and transport cost that are related to it in the utilization of health services in the Ahafo-Ano South (rural) district in Ghana. The study, a cross-sectional survey, also identifies the position of distance among other important factors of utilization. A sample of 400, drawn through systematic random technique, was used for the survey. Data were analysed using the regression model and some graphic techniques. The main instruments used in data collection were formal (face-by-face) interview and a questionnaire. The survey finds that distance is the most important factor that influences the utilization of health services in the Ahafo-Ano South district. Other key factors are income, service cost and education. The effect of travel time on utilization reflects that of distance and utilization. Recommendations to reduce distance coverage, improve formal education and reduce poverty have been made.
尽管距离因素已被确定为发展中国家农村地区卫生服务利用的关键因素，但在分析时并未考虑旅行时间和交通成本等相关因素。此外，距离对弱势群体卫生服务利用的影响也尚未成为研究人员的调查对象。本文探讨了距离对卫生服务利用的影响，以及在加纳阿哈福-阿诺南区（农村）的卫生服务利用中，距离与相关的旅行时间和交通成本相比情况如何。该研究为横断面调查，还确定了距离在其他重要利用因素中的地位。通过系统随机抽样技术抽取了400个样本用于调查。数据采用回归模型和一些图形技术进行分析。数据收集主要使用的工具是正式（面对面）访谈和问卷。调查发现，距离是影响阿哈福-阿诺南区卫生服务利用的最重要因素。其他关键因素包括收入、服务成本和教育程度。旅行时间对卫生服务利用的影响反映了距离和利用情况的影响。已提出减少距离覆盖范围、改善正规教育和减少贫困的建议。
