It was , however , evident that many interventions have worked successfully in poor communities and positive equity impacts can be inferred from interventions that work with types of providers predominantly used by poor people .
Background There has been a growing interest in the role of the private for-profit sector in health service provision in low- and middle-income countries .
The private sector represents an important source of care for all socioeconomic groups , including the poorest and substantial concerns have been raised about the quality of care it provides .
Interventions have been developed to address these technical failures and simultaneously take advantage of the potential for involving private providers to achieve public health goals .
Limited information is available on the extent to which these interventions have successfully exp and ed access to quality health services for poor and disadvantaged population s. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by presenting the results of a systematic literature review on the effectiveness of working with private for-profit providers to reach the poor .
Oral rehydration therapy and social marketing in rural Kenya.
In just a few years , oral rehydration therapy ( ORT ) has become the st and ard treatment to reduce infant diarrhoeal disease mortality in the developing world . The paper describes an ORT intervention campaign in a rural area in Western Kenya ( Kakamega District ) . After about a year of careful preparation , the campaign was launched in January 1986 and compared the use of a value-added product ( flavoured sachets ) sold through private outlets in addition to primary care distribution of an unflavoured sachet in an experimental cell ( Bukura Division ) . In a control cell ( Novakholo Division ) , only unflavoured sachets were distributed free of charge through primary health care facilities . Using local perceptions of diarrhoeal disease management , the campaign in the experimental cell was carefully design ed and mass communication techniques employed and adapted accordingly . Outcome assessment s of the campaign , which lasted until March 1987 , included the overall ORT utilisation over time . Changes in perceptions towards diarrhoeal disease management , direct assessment s of mixing a ' safe and effective ' solution accurately and other relevant process parameters were evaluated . Comparing several recent ORT intervention projects , the paper concludes that a combination of a commercial approach and mass communication techniques can further ORS use . If a proper incentive system for shopkeepers is installed and message design and ORS product are fully tailored to the perception and preferences of the target population , the commercial availability of ORS will create an extra dem and of the product . However , this will not replace distribution of ORS salts delivered free of charge through primary care sources
It was , however , evident that many interventions have worked successfully in poor communities and positive equity impacts can be inferred from interventions that work with types of providers predominantly used by poor people .
Background There has been a growing interest in the role of the private for-profit sector in health service provision in low- and middle-income countries .
The private sector represents an important source of care for all socioeconomic groups , including the poorest and substantial concerns have been raised about the quality of care it provides .
Interventions have been developed to address these technical failures and simultaneously take advantage of the potential for involving private providers to achieve public health goals .
Limited information is available on the extent to which these interventions have successfully exp and ed access to quality health services for poor and disadvantaged population s. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by presenting the results of a systematic literature review on the effectiveness of working with private for-profit providers to reach the poor .