Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

---

Introduction: Improving health and providing health services is an essential aspect of socio-economic development, since health and well-being can be regarded a basic aspect of life quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting decision making of Iranian households living in the deprived provinces to enter the health market.
Method: In this study, sample selection models and Hackman’s two-step estimation method were used to identify the factors influencing household decision making. It is worth noting that given the difficulty in choosing a sample, it is necessary to use sample selection models to obtain reliable estimates. In this study, household budget information from the Statistical Center of Iran and data on 6,940 households living in deprived provinces and 15,324 households living in relatively deprived provinces were used. 
Findings: The results show that gender, health insurance services, tobacco costs, head of household status, education, number of children, the youth and the elderly, urbanization and level of province development are among the most important factors affecting decision making of households living in deprived and relatively deprived provinces to enter the health market.
Discussion: In order to ensure that households living in the deprived provinces have appropriate health and treatment conditions, more health care products and services in these areas should be provided, especially in rural areas; at various educational levels, health promotion should be considered as culture and; and insurance plans should be focused on covering all members of the community.

Keywords: Health and treatment expenditure, Health market, Sample selection model

Full-Text [PDF 592 kb]   (937 Downloads) |   |   Full-Text (HTML)  (354 Views)  

---