The Palestinian Economy. Theoretical and Practical Challenges

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Abu-Zaineh – Mataria
is due to heterogeneity in behaviour of SES groups for a given need. The part of HI due to
the distributions of variables (by income) can be defined as,
I
V
I
I
(22)
( SEV)
( R)
while the part due to the heterogeneity in behaviour can be defined as,
I
B
I
I
I
(23)
( PP)
( CC)
( SEC)
where the degree of inequity due to the heterogeneity in behaviour with respect to SES is
decomposed into three distinct effects stem, respectively, from the variations in the
influence of: (a) need factors on participation behaviour I ); (b) need factors on
(
(PP)
conditional consumption behaviour I ), and (c) socioeconomic factors on the
(
(CC)
consumption behaviour I ). Such approach allows us to detect for a given level of
(
(SEC)
need the role of differences in practices in generating inequity. Broadly interpreted, these
variations in practice can be linked to factors related to demand and supply sides of health
care market; reflecting differences in patients’ preferences and providers’ behaviour in
relation to SES (Dormont, Grignonc et al. 2006).
3.3. Data Requirements and Variables Definitions
The empirical analysis presented in this report is based on data taken from the HCEU –
Household Health Care Expenditure and Utilisation – survey carried out in the OPT in
2004. For the purpose of this analysis, individuals were taken as the unit of analysis. The
HCEU survey covers a total of 25,180 individual observations: 13,619 in the WB and in
11,561 in GS. The survey questionnaire offers detailed information concerning
individual’s recent health experiences: morbidity and health status, utilisation of, and
expenditures, on various types of health care. Data on demographic and socioeconomic
characteristics include, among others, number of household members, income and
expenditures, insurance coverage, as well as respondent’s age, sex, education, marital
status, employment status, location of residence (Urban, Rural, and Camp). Data on
health care utilisation are gathered based on self-reported utilisation (measured by