Multi-level analysis of health care demand in Uganda: Empirical evidence from the national household survey – 2016/17

Abstract

This study examines determinants of health-care demand in Uganda, by estimating mixed-effects logistic regressions using data from the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) - 2016/17. The study firstly compares the 2012/13 and 2016/17 UNHS data and finds that the demand for health care in Uganda has decreased, except for the sub-regions of Busoga, Central I, and Kigezi. Secondly, the results from a mixed-effects regression on the entire sample show that health-care demand at an individual level is associated with individual’s age, smoking habits, and non-communicable disease (NCD) status, whereas household size and poverty status determine health-care demand at the household level. Running separate models for each region to investigate regional peculiarities, the results show disparities in health-care demand among regions in Uganda. Therefore, to improve efficacy and health-care seeking behaviours of Ugandans, policies should recognize and be tailored to address individual, household as well as regional peculiarities.