Inequality in the geographic distribution of health workers in the public health sector in Iran

Distribution of human resources in health sector is persistent concern of health policymakers. This study was aimed to examine the trend of inequality in distribution of health care workers in the public sector using three measures (Gini coefficient, index of dissimilarity and Gaswirth index).
This cross sectional was conducted on public health workers across all provinces of Iran (n=30). The required data on the number of specialists, general physician, paramedical (nurses, midwives...), dentist and pharmacist per 10000 of people for 2001, 2006 and 2011 were obtained from the Statistical Centre of Iran and Health Ministry of Iran. The Gini coefficient, dissimilarity index and Gaswirth index were used to determine the trend of inequality in distribution of human resource. The data was analyzed using DASP and STATA soft wares.
The maximum value of Gini coefficient belonged to Dentist (0.25), pharmacist (0.32) and Practitioner (0.27) in 2001, 2006 and 2011, respectively. The results showed that in 2001; Dentist (17.5%) and pharmacist (5.5), in 2006; pharmacist (20%) and Dentist (2.34) and in 2011; Practitioner (25%) and Practitioner (0.22), had the maximum value of dissimilarity index and Gaswirth index, respectively.
According to three indices were used in this study, the specialists, dentists, pharmacists had the maximum inequality in distribution of human resource in public health sector .It is suggested that the health policy makers give a higher priority to more deprived provinces in resource allocation to reduce the inequality.