A Survey of Factors Associated with the Utilization of Community Health Centers for Managing Hypertensive Patients in Chengdu, China

Abstract

BackgroundFor decades the development of community health services has been emphasized in China to cope with the growing burden of chronic diseases by providing basic medical services. This survey aims at investigating factors associated with the use of Community Health Centers (CHCs) for the management of hypertensive patients in Chengdu, China.MethodsWe used a systematic sampling method to select 2,030 patients with hypertension or diabetes registered in 29 CHCs in Chengdu in 2007. Researchers interviewed patients who consented to participate at their home. This paper reports findings from the survey of 1,716 hypertensive patients with completed questionnaires. Univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore factors influencing the use of CHCs for the management of hypertensive patients.Results81.4% of hypertensive patients regularly used CHCs for hypertension monitoring and treatment in Chengdu. Univariate analyses indicated that use of CHCs was associated with the education level, occupation, types of medical insurance, Body Mass Index(BMI), patients' knowledge on hypertension, awareness of CHCs functions, satisfaction of the service of CHCs. Multiple regression analyses found that use of CHCs was positively associated with the following factors: the Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance(URBMI), knowledge on blood pressure, awareness of the sites in CHCs to measure blood pressure, awareness of having to take life-long antihypertensive medicine once the treatment started, awareness of the health records registration in CHCs, regular follow up, improved convenience of seeing doctor. Patients with professional job were less likely to use the services of CHCs.ConclusionsThe use of CHCs for hypertension management could be increased by improving residents' knowledge on the monitoring and treatment of hypertension, and the awareness of CHCs functions. The CHCs could play an important role in providing medical care to low-income, unemployed and other disadvantaged patients with hypertension.

Assessing the routine-practice gap for home blood pressure monitoring among Chinese adults with hypertension

“…with performing HBPM at least once a week reported by 52% in Zhejiang [18], 36.9% in Chengdu [19] and 42.8% in Beijing [20]. The present study showed that HBPM was performed by around 47.8% of patients in Beijing, 19.8% in Jiangsu and 14.7% in Shandong.…”

“…Reasons for poor adherence to HBPM may include: 1) patients lack adequate knowledge about the optimal frequency of HBPM [19,23,28]; 2) presence of barriers to conducting regular HBPM for patients;…”

The Length and Content of General Practice Consultation in Two Urban Districts of Beijing: A Preliminary Observation Study

“…Aging of the population, prevalence of chronic disease had brought higher health care need in community [ 16 ]. The policy incentives including the privilege of 20% more reimbursement than hospital and essential medicines dispensed at the procurement price made CHSIs more attractive, especially for patients with low income [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Let alone the geographical convenience as well as better availability and accessibility than hospitals.…”

How hypertensive patients in the rural areas use home blood pressure monitoring and its relationship with medication adherence: A primary care survey in China

“…Additionally, community clinics and stores are an accessible resource for measuring BP levels. Although the utilization of BP monitors in community health centers for hypertensive patients has been previously assessed [27], there are little data about the use of monitors stationed in stores. Further investigation is needed to determine whether monitors available in stores are reliable and easily accessible for BP measurement as well as whether these monitors can be used for hypertension management in rural areas.…”