Inequality in the geographic distribution of health workers

in the public health sector in Iran

Rezaei S¹ (Msc), KaramiMatin B¹ (PhD), Akbari Sari A²* (PhD)

¹Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health,

Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

²Deptment of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health,

Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Original Article

Received: 18 Apr 2015, Accepted: 27 Jun 2015

Abstract

Introduction: Distribution of human resources in health sector is persistent concern of health policymakers. This study was aimed to examine the trend of inequality in distribution of health care workers in the public sector using three measures (Gini coefficient, index of dissimilarity and Gaswirth index).

Methods: This cross sectional was conducted on public health workers across all provinces of Iran (n=30). The required data on the number of specialists, general physician, paramedical (nurses, midwives...), dentist and pharmacist per 10000 of people for 2001, 2006 and 2011 were obtained from the Statistical Centre of Iran and Health Ministry of Iran. The Gini coefficient, dissimilarity index and Gaswirth index were used to determine the trend of inequality in distribution of human resource. The data was analyzed using DASP and STATA soft wares.

Results: The maximum value of Gini coefficient belonged to Dentist (0.25), pharmacist (0.32) and Practitioner (0.27) in 2001, 2006 and 2011, respectively. The results showed that in 2001; Dentist (17.5%) and pharmacist (5.5), in 2006; pharmacist (20%) and Dentist (2.34) and in 2011; Practitioner (25%) and Practitioner (0.22), had the maximum value of dissimilarity index and Gaswirth index, respectively.

Conclusion: According to three indices were used in this study, the specialists, dentists, pharmacists had the maximum inequality in distribution of human resource in public health sector .It is suggested that  the health policy makers give a higher priority to more deprived provinces in resource allocation  to reduce the inequality.

Keywords: Inequality, Human Resources, Gini Index, Gaswirth Index, Dissimilarity Index

Please cite this article as follows:

Rezaei S, KaramiMatin B, Akbari Sari A. Inequality in the geographic distribution of health workforce in the governmental sector in Iran. Hakim Health Sys Res 2015; 18(3): 194- 200.