The Examination and Prediction of Illegal Payments for Health Care in Albania

A World Bank (2000) study reported that 87% of its Albanian respondents recounted making illegal, under-the-table payments to hospital doctors in order to receive services. The Albanian government is poised to undertake far-reaching health reform, including the consolidation of health care funding. In order for the reforms to succeed, policy makers need a better understanding of the beliefs and attitudes that affect the practice of under-the-table payments. The purpose of the proposed study is to examine and predict intentions and behaviors regarding informal payments to Albanian health workers. The theory of planned behavior will provide the organizing framework for this survey research, which will examine respondents’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and beliefs regarding the practice of under-the-table health care payments. The survey will be administered to a sample of residents of Tirana, Albania. Results will be shared with policy makers, including the Albanian Civil Society Corruption Reduction Project