Socio-economic inequality in out-of-pocket health expenditures entails disparities in the burden of catastrophic health expenditures which worsens inequalities in access to and utilization of health services. Addressing the factors contributing to the inequalities is therefore important to reducing the burden of health expenditures among the most vulnerable and attain universal health coverage. In this peer reviewed study, the authors seek to examine the factors that contribute to inequalities in catastrophic health expenditures with the goal of informing targeted policy. The authors found that households in rural areas, large household size and childcare burden were positive factors for social economic inequality in catastrophic expenditures. Whereas high socio-economic status has a negative impact. The authors concluded the paper by suggesting that policies that aim to reduce inequalities in catastrophic health expenditures should simultaneously address urban-rural and income inequalities.
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