Factors Affecting Access to Public Healthcare Facilities in the City of Tshwane, South Africa

Abstract

Access to healthcare services is largely determined by socioeconomic factors, with economically well-off individuals obtaining healthcare services more efficiently than those who are disadvantaged. This paper aims to assess the effects of socioeconomic and other related factors on access to healthcare facilities in the City of Tshwane, South Africa, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were sourced from the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) quality of life survey (2020/2021). Multivariate logistic regression was applied. Results showed that 66.3% of the respondents reported that they had access to public healthcare facilities within their area. Furthermore, results showed that those who lived in informal houses were significantly (OR = 0.55, 95% CI [0.37–0.80], p < 0.01) less likely to report that they had access to public healthcare facilities in their area compared to those who lived in formal houses. More efforts need to be undertaken to ensure that all citizens have access to public healthcare facilities, especially among those who are disadvantaged, such as informal dwellers. In addition, future research should encompass locality in relation to the factors that affect access to public healthcare facilities, especially during pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to have geographically targeted interventions.

The feasibility of the PicPecc application as an mHealth tool: Reflections from South African children

“…For example, although the structure of the healthcare system is similar in Sweden and in South Africa with both countries having public and private hospitals, the healthcare system is free of charge for all children (birth to 18 years) in Sweden (Laugesen et al 2021). In contrast, although the South African public healthcare services are free of charge for children younger than 6 years (Moeti et al 2023), this is not true for children between 7 years and 18 years who are the population for this study. No private healthcare in South Africa is free.…”

“…Access to healthcare in South Africa is largely influenced by socio-economic status. Often individuals with more financial resources tend to access healthcare services more efficiently than those with fewer resources (McLaren, Ardington & Leibbrandt 2014, Moeti et al 2023. Mbarathi, Mthembu and Diga (2016) and Moeti et al (2023) mention that many South African families are plagued by inequality, poverty and unemployment, and these barriers disproportionally affect the most vulnerable within a family, specifically children.…”

“…Often individuals with more financial resources tend to access healthcare services more efficiently than those with fewer resources (McLaren, Ardington & Leibbrandt 2014, Moeti et al 2023. Mbarathi, Mthembu and Diga (2016) and Moeti et al (2023) mention that many South African families are plagued by inequality, poverty and unemployment, and these barriers disproportionally affect the most vulnerable within a family, specifically children. Many children below the age of 15 years have difficulty accessing healthcare services, especially in rural communities, requiring transport and long commute to reach clinics (Adedini et al 2020).…”

“…Many children below the age of 15 years have difficulty accessing healthcare services, especially in rural communities, requiring transport and long commute to reach clinics (Adedini et al 2020). Restricted access to healthcare can cause children to have reduced autonomy and self-care capacity, with limited opportunities to voice their needs (Moeti et al 2023). However, with a high percentage of access to mobile phones for children in South Africa (Porter et al 2015), access to mobile health (mHealth) support might be a viable option.…”