Efficiency Determination of Rural Health Centers of Ghazvin Province Using Data Envelopment Analysis Approach in 2006-2010 Period

Background Given the scarcity of resources in the areas of health, the efficient use of these resources is very important. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of rural health centers of Ghazvin province in the period of 2006-2010.
Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study, in which all rural health centers in Qazvin Province, 43 centers, were included. Independent variables were the number of physicians, health experts, technicians, and community health workers, and the dependent variables were percentages of screening for congenital hypothyroidism, percentages of iron supplementation in the first guidance school students, number of visits of public procurements and food distribution centers, number of general practitioner’s visit, and number of specialist referral by the general physician. In this study, input-oriented model and variable returns to scale (VRS) assumption were used. Also, time trend of efficiency was estimated with a regression model. Data envelopment analysis (DEA)-solver and Stata software were used to measure efficiency and estimate regression models, respectively.
Results The mean technical efficiencies during 2006 to 2010 were 0.77, 0.77, 0.78, 0.92, and 0.89, respectively. Also, the average scale efficiencies in these years were 0.98, 0.95, 0.95, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. Average score of managerial efficiency increased from 0.78 to 0.92 during this period. The results of time trend showed that β-coefficient for average score of efficiency was 0.039 and statistically significant (P=0.03).
Conclusion The mean levels of efficiency and health outcomes have been improved in these years but some of resources are still wasted. It seems that some practices such as ongoing evaluation of performance, improving the quality and quantity of services, and programing for optimal use of inputs, can be particularly useful.