Análise dos principais determinantes dos gastos em saúde pelos agregados familiares em Moçambique em 2022

Abstract

Healthcare systems provide preventive and curative services that can significantly improve people's health. However, access to these services may require individuals to spend a substantial portion of their disposable income, which can drive them into poverty. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the main determinants of household health expenditures in Mozambique. The Chi-Square test of independence and multiple logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables that influenced health expenditures. The findings revealed that the majority of households are located in urban areas (58%) compared to rural areas (42%). There was a predominance of female-headed households (55%), and a significant portion of household heads were single (57%) with low levels of education (66% having primary education). Additionally, 30% of households were classified as poor. Health expenditures were found to be related to all independent variables except gender, marital status, and employment status. The main factors associated with health expenditures included social status, the educational level of the household head, place of residence, household size, type of dwelling, type of medical consultation, and food insecurity. According to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, the model demonstrated a good fit. The study also highlighted the importance of promoting social and educational equity, supporting large families, improving housing conditions, and developing food security policies. Furthermore, it is crucial to increase the focus on preventive public health policies, such as vaccination and routine screenings, especially in low-income regions with less infrastructure, to ensure adequate access and prevent higher healthcare expenses