Browsing by Author "Mwale, Flata"

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    Exploring socio-economic factors affecting utilization of health care among patients with hypertension in Zambia
    (2022-03-01) Mwale, Flata
    Non-communicable diseases have emerged as a major health concern in Developing Countries. This study investigated the effect of socioeconomic status on utilization of hypertensive care/services in Zambia. A probit model was used to establish the probability of 1) having hypertension, 2) having BP checked, 3) having a diagnosis, and 4) use of hypertension medication. The study analysis is based on the Zambia STEP survey conducted in 2017. The STEP is a population level cross-sectional survey of 4302 adults aged 18-69 sampled from all ten (10) provinces of Zambia. The results of the analysis showed that the prevalence of hypertension in Zambia was 18.70%. Of those that had hypertension, of the total number found to have raised blood pressure during the survey, only 22.3% had been diagnosed by a doctor or health worker and only 26.0% used medication. Based on the probit results, compared with the poorest respondents, being in the middle, rich and richest income groups was associated with an increase in the probability of being hypertensive by 6.9%, 5.5%. and 9.8% respectively. On use of healthcare, compared to the poorest, being poor was associated with a 7.6% increase in the probability of having a BP check while being in the middle income group was associated with a 7.2% decrease in the probability of having diagnosis. There was no statistically significant effect of income groups on use of medication. The results also showed that primary education was associated with a lower probability of hypertension of 4.2% while having secondary and post-secondary education was associated with an increase in the probability of having a BP check by14% and 22% respectively. Urban residence was associated with an increase in probability of having a BP check and having a diagnosis by 10.8% and 5.8% respectively. With regards to occupation, Non-Governmental Organization employees were associated with an increased probability of having a diagnosis of 10.5%. The study findings suggest that, while prevalence of hypertension is pro-rich, the use of hypertension treatment services is equitable. These results are important as they suggest a fairly equitable service delivery arrangement that ensures use of hypertensive services among Zambians regardless of socioeconomic status and location. However, the under diagnosis and under medication found in this study warrants deliberate population based awareness programs to raise more awareness on hypertension, importance of its detection, management and control.