Accessibility and affordability of health care services among diabetes mellitus patients in Ilala Municipality, Dar es Salaam
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hubert Kairuki Memorial University
Abstract
Abstract:
Background: In recent years, diabetes has been among the four priority non- communicable diseases. About 46 per cent of people in Dar es Salaam with diabetes have financial difficulties in managing this disease. Objectives: the aim was to analyze the accessibility and affordability of health care services among diabetes mellitus patients in Ilala municipality, Dar es Salaam. Methods: The study employed descriptive cross-sectional design whereby dependent variables involved accessibility and affordability of health care and independent variables included availability of drugs, availability of health care providers, payment methods and costs. The SPSS program version 16.0 was used for statistical analysis of variables. Results: The results of this study indicated that demographic factors have influence on diabetic patients such that it varies with age, education, sex, marital status and employment. This study showed that treatment using out of pocket were 27 (9%). This consumed high health-care costs leaving behind patients 148 (50%) who are too poor to pay but are suffering from diabetes. Those using insurance are 57 (19%) National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and 64 (22%) National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Furthermore, the diabetic health care services are limited despite the free treatment policy, concequently there is low affordability to diabetic patients given the high cost of drugs in the private pharmacies. Conclusion/Recommendation: The study concludes that there are challenges related to diabetic health care services including limited availability of drugs and inadequacy of healthcare providers. The study recommends for enrollment of all diabetic patients in the health insurance schemes
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of masters of science in public health of hubert kairuki memorial university
Keywords
Health care services, Diabetes mellitus patients, Ilala Municipality, Dar es Salaam
Citation
Machombo, Donard M. 2015, Accessibility and affordability of health care services among diabetes mellitus patients in Ilala Municipality, Dar es Salaam.