Gender and Health Care Seeking Behaviour in Uganda

John .A. Mushomi, Makerere University

Uganda Demographic Health Survey data is used to investigate the main determinants associated with seeking health care. The probability to access any type of health care was found to be greater for men than for women. The standard of living is strongly associated with health care demand especially for women. Our findings revealed a relatively significant demand forclinics/hospitals /private doctors for most women and this was more realized in cases where the women would change from low levels of standard of living to middle or higher. Men increasingly use private care while women have an overall higher demand for government hospitals than men. This partly reflects the importance of standard of living and income quintile levels and work status on women's decision to seek health care when sick. Lack of control over money is a major inhibiting factor in seeking health care.