The behaviour of health workers in an era of cost sharing: Ghana's drug cash and carry system.

This qualitative study aimed to assess possible changes in prescription patterns and resultant implications for the quality of care delivered in three southern districts of Ghana after the introduction of a full cost recovery scheme for drugs in 1992. While the availability of safe and effective drugs has improved especially in rural areas, not all patients are able to meet the cost for required medication. This has influenced the behaviour of most prescribers, who now take economical limitations into account. As a result, poorer patients may either take fewer drugs or smaller quantities than medically indicated, with possible ensuing consequences for public health. Overall, the cash-and-carry scheme does not appear to have changed health workers' attitudes towards patients; where such behavioural changes occurred they seemed to be due to personnel shortages. Generally, patients in rural facilities reported greater satisfaction with the care they received than urban residents; and medical assistants were perceived as friendlier than both nurses and doctors.

Cost recovery in Ghana: are there any changes in health care seeking behaviour?

The study aimed to investigate the impact on health care seeking behaviour of the cost-sharing policies introduced in Ghana between 1985 and 1992. Qualitative research techniques were used to investigate the behaviour of patients after the introduction of these policies. Focus group discussions of cohorts of the population and in-depth interviews of health workers and selected opinion leaders were used to collect data from rural and urban health care facilities in three districts of Ghana. The study findings indicate that the cost recovery policies have led to an increase in self-medication and other behaviours aimed at cost-saving. At the same time, there is a perception of an improvement in the drug supply situation and general health delivery in government facilities. The study advocated enhanced training of drug peddlers and attendants at drug stores, especially in rural areas. User fee exemption criteria need to be worked out properly and implemented so that the very needy are not precluded from seeking health care at hospitals and clinics.