Heathcare access, satisfaction and depression risk: Findings from the GCRO's Quality of Life Survey 7 (2023/24)

This Data Brief presents results from the GCRO's Quality of Life 7 survey (2023/24) on variables that relate to accessing healthcare, satisfaction with healthcare and depression risk in Gauteng.

HEADLINE FINDINGS

• The proportion of respondents saying that they rely on public healthcare facilities increased from 60% in 2015/16 to 66% in 2020/21 and 2023/24, while 23% in 2023/24 reported relying on private healthcare facilities, which has not varied much over time (Figure 1). Reliance on the public healthcare sector is highest among Black Africans (74%) and in historically disadvantaged areas and in planning regions containing major townships.
• Satisfaction with private healthcare facilities remains very high compared to satisfaction with public healthcare facilities, and satisfaction with both private and public healthcare facilities has increased since 2020/21 (Figure 4 ).
• In 2017/18, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of respondents indicating that their health is poor or very poor was 7%. This increased to 12% in 2020/21, the first year of the pandemic, and has remained close to this level in 2023/24. Higher proportions of Black African (12%) and female (14%) respondents reported poor or very poor health status, compared to their counterparts (Figures 6 and 7).
• In the Quality of Life 7 (2023/24) Survey, 15% of respondents are at high risk of depression (Figure 10). This is an increase from 14% in 2020/21 and 12% in 2017/18. A higher proportion of residents with ‘low’ socio-economic status are at high risk of depression compared to the general sample in Gauteng (Figure 11).