Cam. Debartolome et Sa. Vosti, CHOOSING BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH-CARE - A CASE-STUDY OF MALARIA TREATMENT IN BRAZIL, Journal of health economics, 14(2), 1995, pp. 191-205
Individuals infected with malaria may be treated either in the public
sector or in a private clinic. Private treatment is better, but expens
ive. Using micro-level data from a colonization project in Brazil, we
estimate the factors that determine an individual's choice between the
two sectors. Private treatment is (strongly) price sensitive and (wea
kly) wealth sensitive. Rural individuals are more likely to choose pri
vate treatment, but long distances to the treatment source deter priva
te treatment. Individuals belonging to small, literate households are
more likely to choose private treatment. Gender, age, and number of pr
evious infections are unimportant. Policy implications are discussed.