Demographic characteristics and patterns of biologic therapies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

<p>(<i>N</i> = 2,425).</p

Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of second-line biologic agent-Rituximab.

<p>Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of second-line biologic agent-Rituximab.</p

Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of multiple biologic agents-Switched.

<p>Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of multiple biologic agents-Switched.</p

Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of single biologic agent-Etanercept.

<p>Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of single biologic agent-Etanercept.</p

Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of single biologic agent-Adalimumab.

<p>Differences in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after the use of single biologic agent-Adalimumab.</p

Structural model showing significant path hypotheses in <i>t</i>-values (Path value appearing in red is not significant).

<p>Path diagram generated by Lisrel 8.72</p

Perceptions and Attitudes of Health Professionals in Kenya on National Health Care Resource Allocation Mechanisms: A Structural Equation Modeling

<div><p>Background</p><p>Health care resource allocation is key towards attaining equity in the health system. However, health professionals’ perceived impact and attitude towards health care resource allocation in Sub-Saharan Africa is unknown; furthermore, they occupy a position which makes them notice the impact of different policies in their health system. This study explored perceptions and attitudes of health professionals in Kenya on health care resource allocation mechanism.</p><p>Method</p><p>We conducted a survey of a representative sample of 341 health professionals in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital from February to April 2012, consisting of over 3000 employees. We assessed health professionals’ perceived impact and attitudes on health care resource allocation mechanism in Kenya. We used structural equation modeling and applied a Confirmatory Factor Analysis using Robust Maximum Likelihood estimation procedure to test the hypothesized model.</p><p>Results</p><p>We found that the allocation mechanism was negatively associated with their perceived positive impact (-1.04, <i>p</i> < .001), health professionals’ satisfaction (-0.24, <i>p</i> < .01), and professionals’ attitudes (-1.55, <i>p</i> < .001) while it was positively associated with perceived negative impact (1.14, <i>p</i> < .001). Perceived positive impact of the allocation mechanism was negatively associated with their overall satisfaction (-0.08) and attitude (-0.98) at <i>p</i> < .001, respectively. Furthermore, overall satisfaction was negatively associated with attitude (-1.10, <i>p</i> <.001). On the other hand, perceived negative impact of the allocation was positively associated with overall satisfaction (0.29, <i>p</i> <.001) but was not associated with attitude.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The result suggests that health care resource allocation mechanism has a negative effect towards perceptions, attitudes and overall satisfaction of health professionals who are at the frontline in health care. These findings can serve as a crucial reference for policymakers as the Kenyan health system move towards devolving the system of governance.</p></div

Parameter estimates of measurement variables.

<p>*** <i>p</i> <. 001 (two-tailed)</p><p>Parameter estimates of measurement variables.</p

Characteristics of health professionals who responded to the survey.

<p>Characteristics of health professionals who responded to the survey.</p

Model fit criterion and indices for the structural equation model.

<p>* Acceptable level of model-fit is according to Schumacker & Lomax, 2012 recommendations.</p><p>Model fit criterion and indices for the structural equation model.</p