Equity in utilization of health care services in Turkey: An index based analysis

Abstract

Background: Equity in the use of health care services is an issue which has increasingly been on the health policy agenda over recent years in both middle-and low-income countries. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree and progress of equity in health care utilization in Turkey during 2008–2012. Methods: Wed use data from health surveys (2008, 2010, 2012) conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute. The concentration index (CI) and the horizontal equity index (HI) were calculated as a measure of equity, and a Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition analysis was applied. Results: The general practitioner (GP), specialist and inpatient visits display a pro-poor orientation. Averages of the CI and HI indices for 2008–2012 were 0.74 and –0.17 for GP visits, 0.75 and –0.13 for specialist visits, 0.83 and –0.31 for inpatient visits. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that health care utilization in Turkey appears to have become equitable over the years; however, the sustainability of equity is an issue of concern.