Health insurance acceptance of female labour force: A special focus on reproductive health.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the demand for health insurance policy with special focus on maternity services among working women. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, from October 15 to November 15, 2018, after approval from the Punjab Economic Research Institute, and comprised public and private school teachers of reproductive age. The primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Logit model was used to determine the factors affecting the interest level in maternal health insurance. RESULTS: Of the 110 teachers, 54 (49 %) were from private schools and 56 (51%) from public schools. The overall age range was 21-49 years, with 64 (58%) aged 31-40 years. Also, 79 (72%) teachers had completed 16 years of education. Of the total, 63 (57%) respondents were willing to buy maternal health insurance. Income, age, awareness and the type of preceding delivery were important determinants of the willingness to pay for maternal health insurance. CONCLUSION: Providing full insurance coverage during maternity was expected to give financial relief and to also ensure better health conditions of the teachers on re-joining the work.

A pragmatic evaluation of trauma care: an evidence from the province of Punjab, Pakistan.

Road Traffic Accident (RTA) injuries pose a public health challenge which significantly impacts the human capital development. The Punjab Economic Research Institute (PERI) conducted a study to assess the frequency, causes of trauma injuries, distribution and need and gap analysis of trauma centers in the province of Punjab. For gap/situational analysis, information was extracted through a structured questionnaire from randomly selected 8 District Head Quarters hospitals, 6 Teaching hospitals and 8 independent trauma centers. According to the data of Rescue 1122, 70% of RTA injuries involved the age group 11-40 years. In 295589(63.26%) of the RTA cases the vehicle involved was a motorbike. The major RTA injuries were leg fractures 71699 (16.44%) and head injuries 44738(10.26%). Over speeding 159977(44%) and careless driving 121545 (33.35%) were the major causes of RTAs. Noted was a shortage and mismatch between human resources and equipment in the trauma treatment facilities. Inequality was also found in distribution of trauma care units. Integrated and fully equipped trauma care system along with the establishment of trauma centers in places of high accidents' frequency is recommended. Strict implementation of road traffic safety laws is mandatory.