Five dimensions of access capturing supply-side and
demand-side determinants
We conceptualise five dimensions of accessibility of
services as represented in the upper part of Figure 2: 1)
Approachability; 2) Acceptability; 3) Availability and accommodation;
4) Affordability; 5) Appropriateness. These
five dimensions relate to various proposed dimensions
[1-3,24]. Five corresponding abilities of persons interact
with the dimensions of accessibility to generate access. As
shown in the lower part of Figure 2, these dimensions of
abilities include: 1) Ability to perceive; 2) Ability to seek; 3)
Ability to reach; 4) Ability to pay; 5) and Ability to engage.
Approachability relates to the fact that people facing
health needs can actually identify that some form of
services exists, can be reached, and have an impact on
the health of the individual. Services can make themselves
more or less known among various social or geographical
population groups. Various elements such a