Factors Associated with the Financial Accessibility of Medicines in Public Health Structures in Conakry, Guinea

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the factors associated with financial accessibility to medicines in public health structures in Matoto, Guinea, 2022. This was a cross-sectional study, lasting six months. It concerned patients admitted for consultation in one of the public health structures in Matoto, who had received a medical prescription and who presented themselves at the point of sale of the structure where they were consulted. We performed a chi2, Fischer Exact test to compare the proportions with each other. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. A total of 573 patients, predominantly female 63% and single 52%, voluntarily participated in this study. We found that 30% of patients carried out a liberal activity compared to 5.93% who were civil servants. 3.14% of the subjects surveyed came from outside Conakry. We estimated the frequency of financial inaccessibility to medicines at 56.54%. This study revealed that financial accessibility to medicines in public health structures in Matoto (Guinea) is a challenge for 56.54% of patients. The associated factors are: Gender, socio-professional status, origin and age.