Strengths and Limitations of Using Household Surveys for Health Care Financing Analysis

Abstract

Developing countries are faced with inadequate health care financing and constrained development aid in addition to among others, a burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These constraints challenge them to strengthen existing financing mechanisms; seek alternative funding for healthcare; and, formulate polices and action plans that promote preventive behaviour by curbing consumption of items that accelerate risk factors associated with NCDs. Against this background, this paper assesses the scope of household income and expenditure surveys (HIES) in a bid to contribute to debates on the designs of social protection policies, within the context of universal health coverage (UHC) in developing countries.