The hidden financial burden of healthcare: a systematic literature review of informal payments in Sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACT: Background: Informal payments limit equitable access to healthcare. Despite being a common phenomenon, there is a need for an in-depth analysis of informal charging practices in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) context. We conducted a systematic literature review to synthesize existing evidence on the prevalence, characteristics, associated factors, and impact of informal payments in SSA. Methods: We searched for literature on PubMed, African Index Medicus, Directory of Open Access Journals, and Google Scholar databases and relevant organizational websites. We included empirical studies on informal payments conducted in SSA regardless of the study design and year of publication and excluded reviews, editorials, and conference presentations. Framework analysis was conducted, and t

SUBMITTER: Kabia E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9513412 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature