Page 63 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Implementation of payment exemption in Cameroon

Table 1. Sociodemographic characteristics of participants
Variables Terms and conditions Absolute frequency Relative frequency (%)
Age group (years) 20 – 29 33 20.1
30 – 39 81 49.4
40+ 50 30.5
Gender Female 68 41.5
Male 96 58.5
Educational levels Primary 1 1.8
Secondary 88 53.7
University 77 44.5
Health training Integrated health center 55 33.5
District medical center 7 4.3
District hospital 44 26.8
Regional hospital/Annex regional hospital 58 35.4
Function Psychosocial assistant 97 59.1
Nurse/caregiver 31 18.9
Sanitary medical technician 20 12.2
Doctor/pharmacist 16 9.8
Related department Home/Care 11 6.7
Administration 24 14.6
Laboratory 4 2.4
Medicine/pharmacy 33 20.1
HIV care unit 92 56.1
Duration in the system ≤3 years 77 47
4 – 6 years 46 28
≥7 years 41 25
Abbreviation: HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus.

(PLHIV) and children. The most common practices include by medical and paramedical staff in the Far North region in
prenatal consultations for pregnant women, medical record relation to the direct payment exemption policy. This table
management for PLHIV, and targeted screening tests for illuminates that working in an integrated health center
pregnant women, young children and adults. Complementary (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5 [95% CI: 0.53 – 17.45]; p = 0.033)
tests, such as blood counts (CBC) and urinalysis, are also or in a regional hospital (OR = 2.16 [95% CI: 0.02 – 7.85];
frequently carried out to monitor the health status of HIV- p = 0.042) as a doctor or pharmacist (OR = 6.60 [95% CI:
positive pregnant women. In addition, a large number of 2.17 – 22.77]; p = 0.001) significantly increased the chances
providers offer free blood glucose, viral load and sputum of exhibiting bad practices apropos the direct payment
cytobacteriology tests, to enhance patient care. exemption policy of the UFE project.
Figure 1 shows the nature of UFE policy practices 3.4. Determinants of bad practices vis-à-vis the
adopted by medical and paramedical staff members in direct payment exemption policy based on staff
the Far North region. The figure clarifies that 31.1% of knowledge
staff exhibited bad practices and 68.9% displayed good Table 4 shows the results of the determinants of bad
practices. practices related to the direct payment exemption policy
according to staff knowledge. This table elucidates that
3.3. Sociodemographic determinants of bad the chances of exhibiting bad practices vis-à-vis the
practices
direct payment exemption policy of the UFE project
Table 3 presents the results of the bivariate analyses of the increased significantly when participants had never
sociodemographic determinants of bad practices exhibited heard of the exemption policy (OR = 3.17 [95% CI: 1.17

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 55 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4078