In a free healthcare system, why do men not consult for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)?

Asia Pacific Family Medicine

U Chong lai²  Yuk Tsan Wun¹  Tze Chao Luo²  Sai Meng Pang² 

[1] Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

[2] Hac Sa Wan Health Centre, Health Bureau, Macau Special Administrative Region, China

关键词: free healthcare;    primary care;    help-seeking behaviour;    IPSS;    LUTS;   

Others  :  790722
DOI  :  10.1186/1447-056X-10-7

 received in 2011-03-27, accepted in 2011-06-08,  发布年份 2011

【 摘 要 】

Background

The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) varies among different populations but the rate of seeking medical advice is consistently low. Little is known about the reasons for this low rate. In the city of Macau, China, primary healthcare is free and easily accessible to all citizens. We aim to study the patients' rate of consulting for LUTS and their reasons for not consulting under a free healthcare system.

Method

A convenience sample of 549 male patients aged 40-85 years in a government health centre filled in the International Prostate Symptoms Scale (IPSS) questionnaire. They were also asked if they had consulted doctors for LUTS, and if not, why not.

Result

Of the whole sample, 64 men (11.7%) had ever consulted doctors for LUTS. Of 145 with moderate to severe LUTS, 35 (24.1%) consulted. Of 73 who were dissatisfied with their quality of life, 22 (30.1%) consulted. Regarding the symptoms as normal or not problematic was the main reason for not consulting. Advancing age and duration of symptoms were the significant factors for consulting.

Conclusion

Primary care doctors could help many of LUTS patients by sensitively initiating the discussion when these patients consult for other problems.

【 授权许可】

   
2011 lai et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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