Health Seeking Behavior Among Adults and Elderly With Chronic Health Condition(s) in Albania

Abstract

Aim: Assess the use of different health care service providers by adults (aged 18–59) and elderly (aged > =60) who suffer from non-communicable disease (NCD) and explore relationships between sociodemographic variables and care-seeking behaviors.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the districts of Diber and Fier in December 2018, using random cluster sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the care-seeking behaviors of adults and elderly people. We employed binary and multinomial logistic regression to assess factors associated with the type of health service provider used. Analyses were adjusted for clustering within districts of residence.Results: Out of 3,799 respondents, 1,116 (29.4%) suffered from an NCD. Of these, 95% sought to obtain care for their chronic condition through public healthcare providers. The elderly were more likely to use primary healthcare services (PHC) to initiate care when facing health problems (56%), compared to those aged 18–59 years (49%, p < 0,001). Over the last 8 weeks, 82% (914/1,116) of participants sought care. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses, adjusted for socio-demographic variables, showed that the elderly were more likely to choose PHC services (OR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.04; 2.35). Moreover, individuals who suffered from hypertension used PHC services more frequently than hospitals (OR 1.94; 95% CI: 1.32; 2.85). A positive association was found between living in an urban area and seeking care for NCDs at polyclinics (OR 10.1; 95% CI: 2.1; 50.1). There was no significant gender difference observed with regard to the type of provider consulted.Conclusion: Public facilities were reported as the main providers for initiating care and the main providers used in the 8 weeks prior to the interview. While a majority of elderly people visited a PHC to initiate treatment (and follow up) on their chronic conditions, a substantial proportion of adults (aged 18–59) initiated and sought regular NCD care at a hospital. Educating patients and caregivers on active participation in NCD prevention, management, and control through the PHC level should be a long-term effort, along with the establishment of well-structured referral mechanisms and integrated care systems.

Correlates Between Health Seeking Behaviour and Health Status; A Cross-Sectional Study Among the Elderly Group in Nigeria

“…This has been reported by many studies including that education significantly influenced health seeking behavior among the older people thus influencing their health status. [2,17,18] Income which coincide with the purchasing power of the elderly people was also found to significantly influenced their health status. Poverty especially in LMICs in Africa has been found to be a major barrier to seeking treatment among the older people whenever they are sick.…”

“…This result is in agreement with in their work on health seeking behavior among adults and elderly with chronic health condition(s) who found that considerable proportions of the elderly people in low and middle income countries (LMICs) suffered from chronic health condition. [17] In addition, [18] in their work on multimorbidity and health seeking behaviours among older people in Myanmar: A community survey found that considerable proportions of the elderly people reported at least one chronic condition with about 33.2% reporting two or more conditions (multimorbidity). This is an indication that ageing is associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic changes as well as health problems with varying levels of disability and limitations in functionality.…”

Knowledge about vertical transmission of HIV and associated factors among women living with HIV or AIDS attending antiretroviral therapy clinic, Western Ethiopia

“… 14 – 16 , 20 Women who live in urban settings have good health-seeking behavior and might have better access to maternal health care services, such as antenatal care (ANC). 21 , 22 The study done in Northeast Ethiopia showed that ANC service utilization has positive significant association with the knowledge of the vertical transmission of HIV. 23 Another reason might be due to the inter-regional and rural–urban differentials in access to education and resources, including HIV and AIDS education.…”

Associations between new health conditions and healthcare service utilizations among older adults in the United Kingdom: effects of COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income

“…Early studies documented health-seeking behaviors among the persons with poor health conditions. For example, a cross-sectional survey in Albania concluded public facilities were reported as the main health care service providers by adults with non-communicable diseases [ 15 ]. An Australian cohort demonstrated that persons with hypertension and poor self-rated health were likely to visit frequent monthly general practitioners [ 16 ].…”