"Let's talk about money": How do poor older people finance their healthcare in rural Ghana? A qualitative study

• Published in: International journal for equity in health Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 47
• Main Authors: Agyemang-Duah, Williams, Peprah, Charles, Peprah, Prince
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 20.03.2019; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis; Caregivers; Data processing; Delivery of Health Care - economics; Delivery of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Economic aspects; Elderly; Empowerment; Family; Female; Finance; Financing; Focus Groups; Ghana; Grants; Health aspects; Health care; Health care costs; Health care expenditures; Health care facilities; Health care industry; Health care policy; Health insurance industry; Health services; Healthcare finance; Healthcare Financing; Humans; Income; Laboratory tests; Male; Medical care; Medical care utilization; Medical economics; Middle aged persons; Money; National health insurance; National Health Programs - economics; Older people; Personal finance; Poor older people; Poverty; Poverty - statistics & numerical data; Qualitative Research; Qualitative study; Research methodology; Rural areas; Rural Ghana; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Services; Socioeconomic factors; Ghana; Healthcare finance; Poor older people; Qualitative study; Rural Ghana
• ISSN: 1475-9276; 1475-9276
• DOI: 10.1186/S12939-019-0927-0

Older people utilise more healthcare services and are likely to incur higher healthcare expenditure, however, data on their healthcare financing mechanisms are scarce in low-and middle- income countries including Ghana. In this study, we aimed at exploring how poor older people finance their healthcare in rural Ghana. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 60 study participants comprising 30 poor older people, 15 healthcare providers and 15 caregivers in Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. Data were analysed using thematic analytical framework and presented based on an a posteriori inductive reduction approach. The study revealed that poor older people finance their healthcare through personal income, family support, Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty grants and National Health Insurance Scheme subscription. It was also found that poor older people spent between GH¢ 20 and 250 on drugs, laboratory test and hospitalisation anytime they access a healthcare facility. The findings contribute to our understanding of how poor older people finance their healthcare in rural Ghana. We argue that health stakeholders should strengthen healthcare financing mechanisms for poor older people for optimal healthcare use.