Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the determinants of primary healthcare utilization in Jordan by examining demographic and socioeconomic, influences on access and use, while also investigating disparities across age, gender, nationality, and health insurance type. In parallel, it benchmarks the costs of primary healthcare services.
METHODS: A mixed costing approach (Micro & Macro)study was conducted to determine the cost structure of delivering of PHC services. This study utilized a cross-sectional, exploratory design from the healthcare provider’s perspective. Data was extracted from Hakeem -HDA database, facility records, and DHIS2 in MoH, including demographic, socioeconomic, and chronic diseases.
RESULTS: In 2024 a total of 109,029 visits representing 33,492 patients were analyzed. The mean for number of visits per patient and patient age was 3.7, 30.2 years respectively. The average cost per visit was 16.5 JOD, ranging from 14.5 JOD in general practice to 17.1 in family medicine and 33.3 in internal medicine. Disease-specific costing showed higher expenditures for chronic conditions, with diabetes visits averaging 21.2 JOD and hypertension visits 18.5 JOD, largely driven by medication costs. Older age was significantly associated with higher costs (mean ratio: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.005-1.007, p < 0.001). Higher comorbidity burden (CCI) increased costs by 4.1% (mean ratio: 1.041, 95% CI: 1.029-1.054, p < 0.001). Male patients incurred approximately 4.3% higher costs than females, although this difference not statistically significant (p = 0.054). Number of visits was associated with cost (p = 0.0506).
CONCLUSIONS: Patient characteristics, disease burden, and type of service were the main determinants of primary healthcare costs in Jordan. This study is critical for guiding MoH decisions on financing, workforce planning, and resource allocation, ensuring that primary healthcare services are sustainable, and aligned with Jordan’s commitment to UHC by 2030.