ObjectivesPolicymakers must ensure that the entire population has equal access to health services, and efforts to minimise inequalities are needed. This study aimed to analyse the regional disparities in hospital utilisation in Indonesia.DesignA cross-sectional study analysing secondary data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey.SettingNational-level survey data from Indonesia.ParticipantsA total of 629 370 participants were included in the study.InterventionWe employed no interventionPrimary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was hospital utilisation. Aside from region, we utilise residence type, age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, wealth, insurance and travel time as control variables. We used binary logistic regression in the final analysisResultsThe respondents in Sumatra were 1.079 times (95% CI 1.073 to 1.085) more likely than those in Papua to use the hospital. Furthermore, compared with the respondents in Papua, those in the Java–Bali region (1.075 times, 95% CI 1.069 to 1.081), Nusa Tenggara (1.106 times, 95% CI 1.099 to 1.113), Sulawesi (1.008 times, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.014) and Kalimantan (1.212 times, 95% CI 1.205 to 1.219) were more likely to use the hospital. However, those in Maluku were less likely than those in Papua to use the hospital (0.827 times, 95% CI 0.820 to 0.835). Six demographic variables (age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation and wealth) and three other control variables (residence type, insurance and travel time to the hospital) were found to be associated with hospital utilisation.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the existence of regional disparities in hospital utilisation in Indonesia.

Urban poor societies were a vulnerable group. Once they are sick, they fall deeper into poverty. National Health Insurance (NHI) is a way the government initiated to overcome this situation. We analyzed the factor related to NHI membership among urban poor societies. The study population included everyone living in urban poor societies. The study examined a sample of 3455 participants, and examined five characteristics: NHI, age, gender, education, employment, and marital status. In the final step, the research used binary logistic regression. The results show that all age groups are more likely than those over 64 to be a member of NHI among urban poor societies in Indonesia. Males have a 1.039 times higher chance than females to be a member of NHI. All education levels have less possibility than no education to be a member of NHI among urban poor societies in Indonesia. Employees have an opportunity of 1.097 times higher than the unemployed to be a member of NHI. All marital statuses have more possibility than those who are divorced or widowed to be a member of NHI among urban poor societies in Indonesia. The study results strengthen previous studies with a similar topic. We concluded that the NHI adequately protects urban poor societies. However, the government still has homework to pay attention to the remaining 28.3% of urban poor societies that the NHI has not covered.