Abstract:
This study aims to identify the determinants of choice of health facilities among insured and uninsured workers in the private sector in Yangon, Myanmar and the barriers for insured workers to access health care service from social security health facilities. This study has analyzed the cross-sectional primary data from a survey on 518 workers in Hlaing Tharyar Township. The information on socio-demographic characteristics, accessibility to health services, and need factors for health care utilization were collected during February and March 2013. The multinomial and binomial logistic regression models were applied to analyze the data. The study finds that among insured and uninsured workers in the private sector, socio-demographic factors, presence of chronic disease, and waiting time at health facilities are statistically significantly associated with the choice of health facilities. Insured workers who are old, female, married, with low education and low income levels are more likely to visit social security than private health facilities. Self-treatment is common among both insured and uninsured workers. Additionally, for both insured and uninsured workers, private health facilities are the most popular choices. Lack of awareness about benefit package, impression that the quality of services is low, concern about the salary to be cut for taking leave, and lack of social security cards are the main barriers for insured workers to access health care services from social security health facilities.
