Care-Seeking Dynamics among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in Selected Rural Settings in Kenya

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Marcel Tanner¹  Goonaseelan Pillai²  Bernhards Ogutu³  Miriam Karinja³  Raymond Schlienger⁴ 

[1] Patient Safety, Novartis Pharma AG, 4033 Basel, Switzerland;CP+ Associates GmbH, 4102 Basel, Switzerland;Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002 Basel, Switzerland;;Quantitative Safety and Epidemiology, Chief Medical Office &

关键词: diabetes;    hypertension;    non-communicable diseases;    chronic condition;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph16112016

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are two common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that often coexist in patients. However, health-seeking behaviour in patients with diabetes mellitus or hypertension has not been extensively studied especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to examine care-seeking dynamics among participants diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension across nine counties in rural Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension through face-to-face interviews. Of the 1100 participants, 69.9% had hypertension, 15.5% diabetes while 14.7% had both. The mean age of the respondents was 64 years. The majority of the respondents (86%) were on allopathic treatment. Hospital admission, having a good self-rated health status and having social support for illness, were positively associated with appropriate health-seeking behaviour while use of alcohol and pharmacy or chemist as source of treatment were negatively associated with appropriate health-seeking behaviour. Our study found a high prevalence of appropriate health-seeking behaviour among respondents with the majority obtaining care from government facilities. The results are evidence that improving public health care services can promote appropriate health-seeking behaviour for non-communicable diseases and thus improve health outcomes.

【 授权许可】

Unknown