Socioeconomic Inequalities in Catastrophic Health Expenditure in Sindh Province of Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to examines the socio-economic inequality in Catastrophic Health Expenditure(CHE) by using the data from the Household Integrated Economic Surveys. Catastrophic Health Expenditure(CHE) was computed using the ability-to-pay-approach. To assess socioeconomic inequality in CHE for the years 2018, both generalized and standard concentration Indices were used. The results of concentration index revealed that Catastrophic Health Expenditure(CHE) concentrated among the poor in Sindh. The inequality decomposition analysis reveals that wealth status was the main cause of the inequality. The upper wealth quantiles had larger contribution, while the lower quantiles showed smaller contribution to inequality in CHE. Further, employed head of the household, Educated head of household, private provision of healthcare, and inpatient access of healthcare were negative contributors to CHE inequality in Sindh.