Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.

The rapid increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) poses a major challenge to already strained health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the factors associated with seeking and receiving NCD services in Tanzania, using a household survey and client exit interview data...

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Main Authors: Kassimu Tani, Brianna Osetinsky, Grace Mhalu, Sally Mtenga, Günther Fink, Fabrizio Tediosi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312258
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author Kassimu Tani
Brianna Osetinsky
Grace Mhalu
Sally Mtenga
Günther Fink
Fabrizio Tediosi
author_facet Kassimu Tani
Brianna Osetinsky
Grace Mhalu
Sally Mtenga
Günther Fink
Fabrizio Tediosi
author_sort Kassimu Tani
collection DOAJ
description The rapid increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) poses a major challenge to already strained health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the factors associated with seeking and receiving NCD services in Tanzania, using a household survey and client exit interview data from Kilombero and Same districts. Both districts are predominantly rural, with one semi-urban area called Ifakara town and Same town. Of the 784 household survey respondents, 317 (40.4%), 37 (4.7%), and 20 (2.5%) were diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and other NCDs, respectively, of whom 69% had sought care in the past six months. After controlling for covariates, those enrolled in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and those who received a user fees waiver were more likely to use health services. However, even when NCD patients managed to access the care they needed, they were likely to receive incomplete services. The main reason for not receiving all services at the health facility visited on the day of the survey was drug stock-outs. Among health care users, those registered with the improved Community Health Funds (iCHF) were less likely to receive all prescribed services at the health facility visited than uninsured patients. The findings of this study highlight the need to strengthen both primary care and social health protection systems to improve access to needed care for NCD patients.
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spelling doaj-art-06e1602af6cd49779b1ba3f2485aeab12025-08-20T02:23:46ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-011911e031225810.1371/journal.pone.0312258Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.Kassimu TaniBrianna OsetinskyGrace MhaluSally MtengaGünther FinkFabrizio TediosiThe rapid increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) poses a major challenge to already strained health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the factors associated with seeking and receiving NCD services in Tanzania, using a household survey and client exit interview data from Kilombero and Same districts. Both districts are predominantly rural, with one semi-urban area called Ifakara town and Same town. Of the 784 household survey respondents, 317 (40.4%), 37 (4.7%), and 20 (2.5%) were diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and other NCDs, respectively, of whom 69% had sought care in the past six months. After controlling for covariates, those enrolled in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and those who received a user fees waiver were more likely to use health services. However, even when NCD patients managed to access the care they needed, they were likely to receive incomplete services. The main reason for not receiving all services at the health facility visited on the day of the survey was drug stock-outs. Among health care users, those registered with the improved Community Health Funds (iCHF) were less likely to receive all prescribed services at the health facility visited than uninsured patients. The findings of this study highlight the need to strengthen both primary care and social health protection systems to improve access to needed care for NCD patients.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312258
spellingShingle Kassimu Tani
Brianna Osetinsky
Grace Mhalu
Sally Mtenga
Günther Fink
Fabrizio Tediosi
Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.
PLoS ONE
title Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.
title_full Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.
title_fullStr Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.
title_full_unstemmed Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.
title_short Seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in Tanzania.
title_sort seeking and receiving hypertension and diabetes mellitus care in tanzania
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312258
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