Table 1.

Contextual factors contributing to the choice of countries

Similarities across chosen countries	Differences across chosen countries
• Within the region of sub-Saharan Africa • High HIV prevalence – between 6.5% in Tanzania and 18.8% in South Africa [12] • Reforms aspiring to model of decentralised management and primary health care	• Socio-economic status and health sector capacity – amount spent on health ranging between US$29 PPP (Tanzania) and US$669 PPP (South Africa) per capita [13] • Extent of health sector reforms – South Africa and Zambia described as 'radical reformers' because of the comprehensive reform strategies adopted in the health sector [14]