Utilisation of and Satisfaction with Major Healthcare Services Amongst Slum Dwellers. A Cross-sectional Case Study in the Megacity of Dhaka

Abstract The main objectives of this paper are to report major types of healthcare services for urban slum dwellers in Dhaka and to identify determinants of pharmacy use. Information on satisfaction, waiting time, cost and future preference of healthcare services are also given. Cross-sectional data of 1,444 adults collected from four slums in Dhaka in 2007 are used and socio-demographic, environmental and behavioural characteristics analysed. The study shows that pharmacies are the main source of healthcare services for slum dwellers. Other notable sources are government hospitals (GVHS), private hospitals and clinics (PVHC) and MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) doctors. Satisfaction with services is the lowest for GVHS and the highest for PVHC. Pharmacies have the lowest waiting time and cost, being favoured particularly by the over-sixties, those who are divorced/widowed, cigarette smokers, and members of a community organisation. As pharmacies often provide inadequate healthcare services, they require professional, trained staff, continuous monitoring and back-up support to improve their services.