Regional health disparities in Burkina Faso during the period of health care decentralization. Results of a macro‐level analysis

Abstract

Summary Background Burkina Faso has undertaken decentralization reforms in the health care sector to improve the performance of the health system. This study aimed to analyze the differences in health outcomes by health district's demographic and economic status, and the distribution of health resources during the period of health care decentralization. Methods A bivariate correlation analysis was conducted using data at the health districts and regions level. Data from the health management information system (HMIS) and national households' surveys were used. Results The results indicate a strong correlation between district's population size and the availability of health resources ( P ≤ .05). The health visits per capita and skilled birth attendance are correlated with the economic status of the health district ( P ≤ .05). Malnutrition among under‐five and maternal mortality was associated with the availability of health personnel and health infrastructures ( P ≤ .05). No correlation was found between financial resources and health outcomes. Conclusion The results indicated disparities in health among the health districts in Burkina Faso. The ways to address this inequality include more transparent resource allocation, as well as policies to address the socio‐economic disparities and financial barriers to health services. Further research is needed to collect relevant data and investigate the effects of decentralization, which was not possible in our study.

The inequalities reduction through healthcare decentralisation in low‐middle income countries: The case of Tunisia

“…Healthcare decentralisation has been most used in Africa, where it is notably diffused in the countries of the sub-Saharan region, such as Ghana, 30 Kenya 31 and Burkina Faso. 32 However, we observe a lack of studies concerning the adoption of health decentralisation in the MENA area, despite there being a programme in Tunisia to apply decentralisation, especially in the healthcare sector. Thus, an information gap emerges which needs to be filled.…”

Improving the quality of anthropometric measures during medical consultations with children aged under five years old in Burkina Faso

“…Bronze medals were more frequent in the Northern and Eastern districts of Burkina Faso, while Western Districts had a majority of silver and gold medals. In addition to differences in the quality of anthropometric and vital signs measures, this geographical heterogeneity could also reflect variations in socioeconomic and nutritional status across the country (17,18). Previous reports showed that food insecurity is the most prevalent in the Sahel (Northern) and East regions.…”

A microplanning model to improve door-to-door health service delivery: the case of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Sub-Saharan African villages

“…In Burkina Faso for instance the ratio of health infrastructure and of clinic visits per capita is estimated to be 1.03 (range 0.11–2.03) per 10,000 and 0.6 (range 0.08–1.01) per person per year respectively. Most deprived populations live in rural and remote settings [ 34 ]. Microplanning using satellite imagery and other geographic information systems [ 13 , 15 ] are emerging strategies in door-to-door delivery and likely has recently contributed to wild polio eradication from Africa [ 35 ].…”