-
Research Article
Mothers’ Exposure to the Media and Its Effect on Child Health in Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-16
Received:
5 December 2025
Accepted:
23 December 2025
Published:
19 January 2026
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of mothers’ exposure to the media and examine its effect on child health in Cameroon. Data was obtained through a survey from the Cameroonian Demographic and Health survey (CDHS) 2018. The study employed a Probit regression to examine the determinants of mothers’ exposure to the media and its effect on child health in Cameroon. The results from this analysis revealed that, an increase in the household membership negatively and significantly affects mothers’ exposure to the media for those having a Television (-0.0391) and those having mobile phones (-0.0426). Also, those living in the rural area with regards to place of residence shows a positive significant effect (0.7689) as concerns television ownership and a negative significant effect (-0.3404) for mobile phone ownership. Households having electricity depicts a significant negative and positive effect respectively with regards to television (-1.0727) and mobile phone (0.6185) ownership. Being more educated as per the different categories of education shows a positive statistically significant effect on mother’s exposure to the media as compared to not being educated for both television and mobile phone ownership. The results equally revealed that, the frequency of listening to the radio and watching a television more than once a week had a positive effect on child’s health as compared to not listening to the radio or watching Television at all (0.113 and 0.495 respectively), though statistically significant only for watching television. The frequent use of the internet (at least once a week) had a positive statistically significant effect on child’s health in Cameroon at 10%, with a coefficient of 0.337. From the results, we recommend that, the government should prioritize improving access to electricity in households across Cameroon, especially in underserved areas and also implement programs that promote maternal education and media literacy to increase awareness of health-related media messages.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of mothers’ exposure to the media and examine its effect on child health in Cameroon. Data was obtained through a survey from the Cameroonian Demographic and Health survey (CDHS) 2018. The study employed a Probit regression to examine the determinants of mothers’ exposure to the media an...
Show More
-
Research Article
The Implications of Health Insurance on Demand for Healthcare in Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
17-30
Received:
1 December 2025
Accepted:
19 January 2026
Published:
20 February 2026
Abstract: Health insurance is an important factor in enhancing demand for healthcare, especially in the context of developing countries like Cameroon, where a greater proportion of the population have financial barriers to health services. This study investigates the implications of the main health insurance models; community-based, government-based, and employer-based insurance coverage on healthcare demand in Cameroon. Based on the probit regression model and data drawn from the 2018 Cameroonian Demographic and Health Survey, with a total sample of variables derived from a sample of 10,303 observations, the study found that health insurance significantly increases the likelihood of individuals seeking healthcare, with community-based health insurance demonstrating a compelling impact, and elevating demand by approximately 67.7%. Conversely, government and employer-based insurances also positively influence healthcare demand, albeit with distinct variations across demographic segments. Hence, the study underscores and recommends the importance of employer-sponsored insurance in enhancing healthcare access and suggests expanding such programs will lead to improved health outcomes across the population. This can be done by incentivizing businesses to offer comprehensive coverage which includes tax breaks or subsidies. This will enhance health benefits thereby ensuring that employees and their families have better access to necessary healthcare services. Similarly, it is important to strengthen Government Health Insurance by Increasing funding and resources for Government Based Health Insurance (GBHI) programs that will expand service delivery by improving healthcare infrastructure, increase coverage options, and ensuring that government-sponsored plans effectively meet the needs of underserved populations.
Abstract: Health insurance is an important factor in enhancing demand for healthcare, especially in the context of developing countries like Cameroon, where a greater proportion of the population have financial barriers to health services. This study investigates the implications of the main health insurance models; community-based, government-based, and emp...
Show More
-
Research Article
Cost-effectiveness Analysis of the PUSH Model for Health-commodity Supply-chain Management in Couffo Department, Benin
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
31-39
Received:
15 January 2026
Accepted:
27 January 2026
Published:
25 February 2026
Abstract: Introduction. In resource-limited countries, the performance of health-commodity supply chains is a critical determinant of access to care. Despite the documented operational advantages of the PUSH logistics model (push-based flow), its comparative economic assessment against the traditional PULL model (pull-based flow) remains limited, depriving decision-makers of robust evidence for optimal investment choices. Methods. A retrospective differential cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted over six months in Couffo Department, Benin. Two comparable health zones applying respectively the PULL model (ADD zone) and the PUSH model (KTL zone) provided a quasi-experimental framework. Direct, indirect and opportunity logistics costs were micro-costed for 32 health centres. The primary outcome was measured by the availability rate of essential commodities. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated, and sensitivity analyses tested the robustness of the results. Results. The PUSH model reduced total logistics costs by 87.8% compared with the PULL model, driven by substantial transport optimisation (a 77% reduction in cost per kilometre) and the near-elimination of economic losses associated with stock-outs (USD 7,333 saved). Concurrently, it improved product availability from 94.16% to 98.80%, shortened delivery lead times, and increased stakeholder satisfaction. The ICER for availability was negative (-USD 0.40 per percentage point gained), confirming that PUSH is a dominant strategy (less costly and more effective). This conclusion remained robust across all sensitivity-analysis scenarios. Conclusion. This study provides empirical evidence that the PUSH model is economically dominant over the PULL model in the Beninese context. Its large-scale deployment represents a high-return strategic investment, enabling optimal resource allocation to strengthen health-system resilience and progress towards universal health coverage.
Abstract: Introduction. In resource-limited countries, the performance of health-commodity supply chains is a critical determinant of access to care. Despite the documented operational advantages of the PUSH logistics model (push-based flow), its comparative economic assessment against the traditional PULL model (pull-based flow) remains limited, depriving d...
Show More
-
Research Article
Factors Associated with Catastrophic Health Expenditure Among Households in Côte d'Ivoire
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
40-48
Received:
21 January 2026
Accepted:
24 February 2026
Published:
19 March 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.hep.20261101.14
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Protection against financial risk is an essential pillar of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly through the reduction of out-of-pocket payments that can lead to catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). This study aims to identify the determinants of CHE among households in Côte d'Ivoire. We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study using data from the 2021 Harmonized Household Living Conditions Survey (HLCS) (secondary analysis). The survey is based on a two-stage probability sampling method; 1,084 clusters and 13,008 households were initially selected, and 12,965 households were retained after validation. CHE was defined according to the "ability to pay" approach: a dichotomous variable (CHE=1) when OOPCAP = OOP/CAP ≥ 40%, otherwise CHE=0. Descriptive statistics, a bivariate Chi² test and binary logistic regression were used (Stata 17). Households spend more than half of their consumption expenditure on food (52.2%). The frequency of CHE is low: 0.11% in the total sample (14 households) and 0.35% among those who received direct payments. The concentration curve indicates a relatively homogeneous distribution (Gini = 0.187). The logistic model is significant (Chi² = 38.38; p < 0.001; pseudo-R² = 0.094). The risk of CHE decreases significantly with household size (OR = 0.07 for 6–7 members; OR = 0.03 for >7). Conversely, households headed by a married person have an increased risk (OR = 5.27), as do those residing in rural areas (OR = 4.72). With regard to standard of living, the upper quintiles show odds ratios below 1 (Q2 to Q5), suggesting better financial protection, although some associations are of marginal significance. No significant link is observed for the gender of the head of household or for residence in Abidjan. CHE are rare, but their distribution remains socially differentiated: increased risk in rural areas, increased vulnerability when the head of household is married, and a protective effect of household size, linked to intra-family mutualization. A socioeconomic gradient also appears, with wealthier households being less exposed, but the significance is marginal. These results call for strengthening financial protection, especially in rural areas, and interpreting CHE with caution, given their rarity and sensitivity to methodological choices.
Abstract: Protection against financial risk is an essential pillar of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly through the reduction of out-of-pocket payments that can lead to catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). This study aims to identify the determinants of CHE among households in Côte d'Ivoire. We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study using...
Show More
,
Ofeh Evina Anchi
