Behavioral factors associated with utilization of healthcare services among elderly in Pakistan: evidence from a nationally representative survey

Determinants of treatment-seeking behaviour and healthcare provider choice in Afghanistan in 2018: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Introduction

In Afghanistan, remarkable achievements have been made in improving access to healthcare and health outcomes since the introduction of essential healthcare packages. Nonetheless, sociodemographic and geographical inequities persist, and out-of-pocket expenditures are high. This study investigates the client and provider determinants of access to care that affect treatment-seeking behaviour in 2018.

Methods

Secondary data analysis using data on treatment-seeking behaviour in public and private healthcare from the Afghanistan Health Survey 2018 was combined with data on the quality of public healthcare facilities from a national healthcare facility assessment of the same year. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore associations between client characteristics and accessibility of public healthcare facilities, and treatment-seeking behaviour and choice of public versus private healthcare provider.

Results

The results suggest that the odds of seeking treatment are lowest among the rural poor. The odds of treatment-seeking and choosing a public healthcare provider are higher for pregnancy-related health needs but lower for chronic conditions. Affordability of healthcare was associated with lower odds of treatment-seeking (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98) and using private healthcare providers (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.99). Increased satisfaction with opening hours (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.05) and availability of a female nurse or doctor (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.04) in public health facilities, and a higher level of trust in healthcare provider (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.06) were associated with higher odds of using public healthcare.

Conclusion

Afghanistan's public healthcare system is vital in providing care to the economically disadvantaged and managing infectious diseases and maternal health problems. The private sector plays a dominant role, particularly for those illnesses not covered under the essential healthcare packages. The study suggests opportunities for the public healthcare system to alleviate financial barriers to healthcare access and broaden its service offerings to encompass the management of chronic illnesses.

The influence of healthcare service quality on patients' satisfaction in urban areas: The case of Pakistan

An advanced hospital services is an imperative goal in the healthcare delivery process that might contribute to the patient's emotions and behavioral intention regarding the service experience. Therefore, current study aims to investigate the influence of healthcare service quality and patients' satisfaction with basic health unit (BHU) hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan. The study focuses on service quality, revisits intention and patients' satisfaction with the framework of the planned behaviour model. Quantitative research was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire from those patients who visited the same hospitals twice in a month. As result, the sampling strategy was simple random sampling (SRS) and sample size was (n = 469). The researchers used structural equation modelling (SEM) and AMOS to examine and evaluate the study hypotheses. The findings indicate that service quality increases patients' satisfaction and motivates them to revisit again. Service quality plays a crucial role in enhancing patients' intention to revisit the same hospitals and maintain their satisfaction level. The results provide valuable insights for medical marketing teams to promote and strengthen patients' intention to revisit to their medical care hospitals. Additionally, these findings may inform governments on how to maintain and improve medical facilities for their future patients. This research is among a limited number of studies that examine the predictive association between service quality, patients' satisfaction, and patients' tendency to revisits to government hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan.

Predictors of perinatal mortality in Ghana: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Perinatal mortality is a major public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, with Ghana experiencing consistently high rates. This poses challenges for achieving the maternal and child health-related sustainability development goals by 2030. While some studies have explored factors behind perinatal mortality in Ghana, a comprehensive analysis considering multifactorial predictors remains absent. This scoping review, guided by Anderson's framework of healthcare utilisation, aims to address this. The primary objective is to map the predictors of perinatal mortality in Ghana using Anderson's framework. It aims to identify interpersonal, social structural and health beliefs as predisposing factors; evaluate access to healthcare, social support and health literacy as enabling factors; and outline maternal and foetal conditions as need factors, concluding with identified knowledge gaps.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions will be used to guide the conduct of this review. Four main electronic databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, will be searched. Eligible studies will be charted and synthesised, focussing on Anderson's primary domains: predisposing factors, enabling factors and need factors. Studies published in the English language from January 2000 to June 2024 will be included in the study to cover the most recent factors associated with perinatal mortality in Ghana.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This review will rely on already published peer-reviewed articles and therefore will not require ethical approval. The review results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific publications and annual health services review conferences in Ghana.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42024564968.

Out-of-pocket expenditures associated with double disease burden in Pakistan: a quantile regression analysis

BACKGROUND

Pakistan is currently experiencing a double burden of disease. Families with members having both communicable and noncommunicable diseases are at a greater risk of impoverishment due to enormous out-of-pocket payments. This study examines the percentile distribution of the determinants of the out-of-pocket expenditure on the double disease burden.

METHOD

The study extracted a sample of 6,775 households with at least one member experiencing both communicable and noncommunicable diseases from the Household Integrated Economic Survey 2018-19. The dataset is cross-sectional and nationally representative. Quantile regression was used to analyze the association of various socioeconomic factors with the OOP expenditure associated with double disease burden.

RESULTS

Overall, 28.5% of households had double disease in 2018-19. The households with uneducated heads, male heads, outpatient healthcare, patients availing public sector healthcare services, and rural and older members showed a significant association with the prevalence of double disease. The out-of-pocket expenditure was higher for depression, liver and kidney disease, hepatitis, and pneumonia in the upper percentiles. The quantile regression results showed that an increased number of communicable and noncommunicable diseases was associated with higher monthly OOP expenditure in the lower percentiles (10th percentile, coefficient 312, 95% CI: 92-532), and OOP expenditure was less pronounced among the higher percentiles (75th percentile, coefficient 155, 95% CI: 30-270). The households with older members were associated with higher OOP expenditure at higher tails (50th and 75th percentiles) compared to lower (10th and 25th percentiles). Family size was associated with higher OOPE at lower percentiles than higher ones.

CONCLUSION

The coexistence of communicable and noncommunicable diseases is associated with excessive private healthcare costs in Pakistan. The results call for addressing the variations in financial costs associated with double diseases.

Health facility utilization and Healthcare-seeking behaviour of the elderly population in India

Background

The increasing elderly population in India has generated an unmet need for healthcare services concerning them. To address some of those needs, the study aims to provide the current status of health facility utilization, health-seeking behaviour (HSB), and factors influencing them.

Methodology

Data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)-Wave I was used to conduct multivariate analysis to assess the association between health facility utilization (inpatient and outpatient) and HSB across all age groups of the elderly.

Results

The likelihood of utilizing public health facilities increased with age for OPD and decreased with age for IPD. HSB was 23% less in the 80 years and above elderly as compared to other age groups. Healthcare service uptake was higher in the elderly with health insurance in a public health facility.

Conclusion

Improving health insurance coverage among the Indian elderly may potentially improve healthcare service uptake in public health facilities.

Improving health and social care services for slum-dwelling older adults: Perspectives of health professionals

Background

Besides confronting the challenges of a growing older population, developing countries are dealing with limited resources and infrastructure, to ensure good health and social care services. One of these developing countries facing these challenges is Ghana. The healthcare system in Ghana currently does not have specialized geriatric services and is funded through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), private insurance companies and an out-of-pocket expenditure system. Social care services are important in improving Quality of Life (QoL) as it helps in building and strengthening relationships while also keeping slum-dwelling older adults active. There are various challenges with the health and social care of older adults in slums and practical ways to improve these have not been explored among the providers of this care.

Aims

This study, therefore, aimed to explore (1) the views of health professionals on older slum-dwelling adults' health and social care needs, access, and use, and (2) recommendations for improving access to health and social care services among slum-dwelling older adults.

Method

A qualitative exploratory descriptive approach was used among health professionals by conducting a focus group discussion (FGD) and interviews. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from each participant.

Results

A total of 27 participants took part in the study. In the analysis of transcripts, 3 themes and 14 subthemes were conceptualized. Financial difficulties, queueing issues, distance to health facilities, health illiteracy and negative attitude of health professionals were identified as some barriers to the utilization of formal healthcare services. Social care services were described as non-existent, not structured, and having limited resources to cater for attendants. The health professionals also provided recommendations for improvement.

Conclusion

Health professionals in this study discussed barriers to access and use of health and social care services. Addressing these barriers is essential to improve the use of formal health and social care services and diminish health inequity among older adults.

Prognostic value of patient-reported outcomes in predicting 30 day all-cause readmission among older patients with heart failure

AIMS

Previous prediction studies for 30 day readmission in patients with heart failure were built mainly based on electronic medical records and rarely involved patient-reported outcomes. This study aims to develop and validate a nomogram including patient-reported outcomes to predict the possibility of 30 day all-cause readmission in older patients with heart failure and to explore the value of patient-reported outcomes in prediction model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a prospective cohort study. The nomogram was developed and internally validated by Logistic regression analysis based on 381 patients in training group from March to December 2019. The nomogram was externally validated based on 170 patients from July to October 2020. Receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots and decision-curve analysis were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram. A total of 381 patients' complete data were analysed in the training group and 170 patients were enrolled in the external validation group. In the training group, 14.4% (n = 55) patients were readmitted to hospitals within 30 days of discharge and 15.9% (n = 27) patients were readmitted in the external validation group. The nomogram included six factors: history of surgery, changing the type of medicine by oneself, information acquisition ability, subjective support, depression level, quality of life, all of which were significantly associated with 30 day readmission in older patients with heart failure. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of nomogram were 0.949 (95% CI: 0.925, 0.973, sensitivity: 0.873, specificity: 0.883) and 0.804 (95% CI: 0.691, 0.917, sensitivity: 0.778, specificity: 0.832) respectively in the training and external validation groups, which indicated that the nomogram had better discrimination ability. The calibration plots demonstrated favourable coordination between predictive probability of 30 day readmission and observed probability. Decision-curve analysis showed that the net benefit of the nomogram was better between threshold probabilities of 0-85%.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel and easy-to-use nomogram is constructed and demonstrated which emphasizes the important role of patient-reported outcomes in predicting studies. The performance of the nomogram drops in the external validation cohort and the nomogram must be validated in a wide prospective cohort of HF patients before its clinical relevance can be demonstrated. All these findings in this study can assist professionals in identifying the needs of HF patients so as to reduce 30 day readmission.

The frequency and pattern of deranged lipid profile in patients with ischemic stroke: a retrospective study

Ischemic Stroke has been recognized as the principal cause of disability and the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and pattern of dyslipidemia in patients presenting with ischemic stroke at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan and to evaluate the effect of demographic and clinical factors on the frequency and pattern of dyslipidemia in ischemic stroke subjects.   Methods: A cross-sectional study carried on a sample size of 235 patients presenting to the out-patient clinic with paralysis, difficulty in speech, and/or loss of consciousness lasting for one hour or more. Blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) by the enzymatic colorimetric methodology. These values were recorded on the pre-defined proforma by the investigators. All analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0.   Results: The average age of the patients was 50.84±11.51 years and 62.1% of them were males. The frequency of dyslipidemia was observed in more than half (n=134/235, 57.02%) of ischemic stroke patients. Regarding the dyslipidemia pattern, TC, VLDL-C and TG levels were deranged in more than 50% of the cases. The most commonly deranged values were of TC and VLDL-C, followed by TG levels. It was observed that patients with a previous history of DM (73.9%, p=0.002) and HTN (81.3%, p=0.001) had significantly higher rates of deranged lipid profiles. Lipid values were found to be more deranged in patients aged 41-50 years (p=0.002) however, no statistically significant differences were observed with respect to BMI (p=0.192) and symptoms duration (p=0.334).   Conclusions: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke, and elevated LDL-C is usually the lipid fraction implicated in the pathologic mechanism of stroke.

Identification and Prioritization of Attributes for a Discrete Choice Experiment Using the Nominal Group Technique: Patients' Choice of Public Health Facilities in Cape Town, South Africa

OBJECTIVES

To date, there has been scant research on patient input regarding the desirable characteristics of healthcare facilities. This study uses the nominal group technique (NGT) to develop a discrete choice experiment (DCE) aimed at identifying and prioritizing, from the patient's perspective, essential characteristics for choosing public health facilities in Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS

Four focus group discussions were conducted, including a total of 21 patients or their parents/companion at Bothasig and Goodwood community day centers (which offer primary care within substructure) in Cape Town. The group discussions followed the steps of NGT guidelines. At each facility, the frequency of an attribute being within the top 5 was determined, a weighted ranking was calibrated, and a subgroup analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The 6 most important attributes in choosing a facility were "treatment by a doctor/(family physician)" (66.7%), "distance to the community day center" (61.7%), "availability of medication" (61.7%), "confidentiality during treatment" (57.7%), and "waiting time" and "treatment by a nurse." The weighted results showed that distance was the most important, followed by treatment by the doctors, treatment confidentiality, availability of medication, and waiting time and treatment by a nurse.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the feasibility and value of the NGT in identifying and prioritizing the attributes for a DCE. The NGT can be used to elicit patient preferences and, when used together with a DCE, can enhance information quality and quantity for decision making in tandem with patient satisfaction and experiences.

Predictors of Quality of Life Among People Living With Multimorbidity in Karachi, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Multimorbidity is defined as the coexistence of more than one chronic condition in one individual. It is related to enhanced rates of disability and mortality, enhanced disease burden, decreased function levels, and it can affect the wellbeing and daily activities of people, including loss of autonomy and independence. The aim of the current study is to determine the predictors of quality of life among patients with multimorbidity in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methodology

It was a cross-sectional study conducted in 12 health care facilities of six districts in Karachi, Pakistan. Two health care facilities were selected from each district using a convenient sampling technique. The total sample size of this study was 690, equally distributed among 12 health care facilities.

Results

The majority of participants (33.47%) belonged to the age group of 40 to 49 years, while 29.85% of participants had an age between 30 to 39 years. More than half of the participants were females (50.87%). Overall, the multivariate analysis showed being male, married, younger, high educational status and employed were positively associated with quality of life. While having lower family income is negatively associated with quality of life.

Conclusion

The findings of this study had important implications for identifying distinct multimorbidity individuals who were at risk of a lower quality of life, and they emphasized the need for disease detection and treatment at an early stage. The study can also give important evidence for decision-makers when it comes to allocating health resources more efficiently, and health administrative departments can improve chronic disease management.