What Contributes to the Regularity of Patients with Hypertension or Diabetes Seeking Health Services? A Pilot Follow-Up, Observational Study in Two Sites in Hubei Province, China

Da Feng, Ray Serrano, Ting Ye, Shangfeng Tang, Lei Duan, Yuan Xu, Jian Yang, Yuan Liang, Shanquan Chen, Zhanchun Feng and Liang Zhang
Additional contact information
Da Feng: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Ray Serrano: Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Ting Ye: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Shangfeng Tang: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Lei Duan: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Yuan Xu: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Jian Yang: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Yuan Liang: School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Shanquan Chen: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Zhanchun Feng: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China
Liang Zhang: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 of Hangkong Road, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430030, China

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Regular maintenance of non-communicable chronic diseases can constrain disease progression in diabetic and hypertensive patients. To identify the individual and social factors that are associated with positive health-seeking behaviors and regular maintenance of chronic diseases, we have conducted a follow up study in 2015 on diabetic and hypertensive patients in Hubei Province. We used binary logistic regression models to determine specific factors associated with diabetic and hypertensive patients that sought healthcare services for their conditions in accordance with current Chinese Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) guidelines. Our findings show that 42.16% of 510 people living with chronic conditions (PLCDs) sought health services in line with existing guidelines. Findings also show a higher probability (8.418 times) for PLCDs seeking healthcare services at higher-tiered hospitals (secondary and tertiary hospitals) than for PLCDs seeking care at primary hospitals (odds ratio (OR) = 8.418, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.82, 14.27, p < 0.001). These analyses underscore the importance of having patient advocates who can provide support, where necessary, and encourage positive health-seeking behavior. The study also shows a negative impact on regular maintenance for PLCDs in households with high financial constraints. In contrast, the study shows positive impacts for increased household income, age, and residency in rural locations. In sum, this study underscores the importance of primary hospitals as key points of care and critical players in care coordination for PLCDs. The study provides more evidence for Chinese policymakers seeking to contain costs and improve population health. The findings also underscore the need for community-based interventions, specifically interventions that link local primary hospitals, friends/family members, and PLCDs.

Keywords: hypertension; diabetes; regular; health seeking behavior; usual provider; social factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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