The impact of health worker absenteeism on patient health care seeking behavior, testing and treatment: A longitudinal analysis in Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Absenteeism of frontline health workers in public sector facilities is widespread in low-income countries. There is little quantitative evidence on how health worker absenteeism influences patient treatment seeking behavior, though low public sector utilization and heavy reliance on the informal sector are well documented in low-income settings.

Methods

Using a unique panel dataset covering health facilities and households over a 10-month period in Uganda, we investigate the extent to which health worker absenteeism (defined as zero health workers present at a health facility) impacts patient care seeking behavior, testing, and treatment.

Results

We find high rates of health worker absenteeism at public sector health facilities, with most of the absenteei

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8378719 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature