Informal Payments and its Related Factors in Urmia Hospitals

Informal payments are paid to individuals and organizations offering health services، either in cash or non-cash via informal channels. The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of informal payments in Urmia hospitals and to assess the related factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2013. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was completed via telephone calling to the patients. Data were analyzed using the OLS model in the SPSS-21 and EVIEWS7. The mean formal and informal payments to the hospitals were 3270000 and 600000 Rials، respectively. The mean (SD) informal payment to the doctors was 5030000 (5520000). The mean (SD) informal payments to the nurses and other staff were 200000 (130000) and 160000 (160000) Rials، respectively. Type of hospital، place of settlement، treatment procedure and income were recognized as the related factors with the amount of informal payments. Given the results of this study that indicated high amounts of informal payments، and considering the serious negative effects of informal payments on appropriate governance، policymakers should pay attention on the issue in order to restrict the informal payments.