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Table 1 Dimensions of access as defined by Andersen et al.

From: The effect of performance-based financing interventions on out-of-pocket expenses intended to improve access to and utilization of maternal health services in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Dimensions of access by Andersen et al

Definition from Andersen et al

Application in systematic review

Potential access

Health financing policy in place

Implementation of performance-based financing policy

Realized access

Actual utilization of services as a result of the health financing policy

Utilization based on SR outcomes (ANC, skilled birth delivery, and family planning) as reported in the study

Effective access

Improving health status from health service use and is a function of potential and realized access

Changes in the outcomes in terms of utilization as reported in the study, for example, timely use of services to improve health outcomes—attributed to the PBF policy

Equitable access

Ensures distribution of resources based on need

Consideration of equity variables—income groups, place of residence, and contextual differences in resource allocation as reported in the study

Inequitable access

Focused on the process of reducing the influence of social characteristics on the distribution of health services

Consideration of approaches used to address information barriers among population groups as reported in the study

Efficient access

To minimize the cost of improving outcomes as a result of health service use

Cost minimization for specific services (ANC, skilled birth delivery, and/or family planning) to improve utilization and outcome as reported in the study

  1. Source: Adapted from Andersen et al. (2013)