Publication: Barriers to Accessing Medical Care in Sub-Saharan Africa in Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic
Date
2021-03
ISSN
Published
2021-03
Author(s)
Swindle, Rachel
Newhouse, David
Abstract
Eighty-two percent of respondents in a
sample of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries were able to
access medical care despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the
remaining 18 percent, about one-third reported that the
COVID-19 pandemic impaired their access, either due to
lockdown restrictions, facility closures, or fear of
contracting the virus. 'Lack of money' was by far
the most frequently reported barrier to accessing care
across countries, especially for food-insecure households,
two-thirds of which cited 'lack of money' as the
main healthcare access constraint. Continued monitoring can
help shed light on who is most at risk of not being able to
access healthcare during crises. This note makes use of
newly harmonized data to summarize reasons why respondents
in 11 SSA countries were unable to access medical care
during early COVID-19 stages.
Citation
“Swindle, Rachel; Newhouse, David. 2021. Barriers to Accessing Medical Care in Sub-Saharan Africa in Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic. Poverty and Equity Notes;No. 38. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35333 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”