Ambulatory medical care in Mexico: The cost for users.

Objective, To analyze the results of the National Health Survey (ENSA-II) a s to the costs generated by the search and obtainment of ambulatory medical attention in various intitutions of the private and public health sector. Material and methods. Information was raised from the health care cost indi cators reported by the study population of the ENSA-II. The dependent varia ble was the direct expense for the consumer and the independent variables, the condition of being insured and the income. Variation significance level s were identified using the test by Duncan. Results,The costs at national l evel in US dollar were: transport $ 2.20, medical visit $ 7.90, drugs $ 9.6 0, diagnostic studies $ 13.6; average total cost for ambulatory attention w as $ 22.70. Empirical finding suggest a new direct and indirect cost-for-co nsumer analysis for the health care users. These costs represent an importa nt burden on the family income, which worsens when users are not insured. C onclusions. Incorporation of the economic perspective to the analysis of pu blic health issues should not be limited to the analysis of the health prov ider's expenses, particulary if the problems of equity and accessibility mu st be solved, which are at present characteristic of health care services i n Mexico.