Demand for traditional health care services in rural ethiopia

In developing countries like Ethiopia, one may attribute the demand for traditional health care providers mainly to the limited geographical access to modern health care providers. But it is shown in many studies that traditional health care institutions are still attracting a number of patients even in the presence of modern health care institutions at a walkable distance. Using a multinomial logit model, the present study analyzes factors that determine the choice of a given health care provider in general and traditional health care in particular. The study has used a cross-sectional data primarily collected by the researcher from West Abaya district of SNNPR, Ethiopia. It has been found that while (perceived) quality of service is the most important attribute of public institutions, proximity and low waiting time are the features that lead rural patients to private institutions. On the other hand flexible payment system and low service charge are the attractive features of traditional health care institutions. It is concluded that since traditional health care providers are contributing a lot to the health service system of the country, policy makers should consider the option of integrating traditional and modern medical practices. Furthermore, it is believed that a more flexible (in kind and time) payment system would improve the utilization of modern health service and health status of rural household.