[Does mutual health insurance reproduce health inequalities in Benin?].

Introduction: The factors leading to exclusion of a part of the population from mutual health insurance were studied by examining the profile of members, the social dynamics and the mode of functioning of this type of health insurance.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Parakou; Benin by selecting 50 patients from three healthcare centres selected at random from the ten "Réseau des Soins Coordonnés" centres. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with mutual health insurance beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries.