Table 1 English wording of the questions used in the survey to obtain data for the cluster analysis

Cluster analysis II (Type of health services used for last illness during the past 12 months and reason of using these services)

Which of the following service types can best describe your last use of health care services? (select only one service type related to the very last use of health care services)

• Visit to nearby health center

• Visit to general practitioner

• Visit to outpatient medical specialist at public hospital

• Visit to outpatient medical specialist at private hospital

• Hospitalization (incl. One day hospitalization)

• Traditional healer

• Other, please specify: ……………….

Why did you choose this kind of health service? (yes/no)

• It was the closest facility

• I had to pay less than in other facilities

• I had to wait less than in other facilities

• It provided the best quality services

• It was recommended to me

• I was brought there

• Other, please specify: ……………….

Cluster analysis III (type of payment for health care services)

Which kinds of methods were used to cover all costs related to your last use of health care services? (multiple answers possible) (yes/no)

• Social security scheme (SSS)

• Community based health insurance (CBHI)

• Out-of-pocket payments (OPPs)

• Other, please specify: ……………………

Cluster analysis IV (amount of out-of-pocket payments and coping strategies)

How much did you spend in total for your last use of health care services?

How much of this was for pharmaceuticals (medicines)?

Did you have to borrow money to cover the above expenses for your last use of health care services and pharmaceuticals? (yes/no)

Did you have to sell assets to cover the above expenses for your last use of health care services? (yes/no)