BARRIERS TO UTILIZATION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HEALTHCARE AMONG NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PATIENTS VISITING PUBLIC HOSPITALS; A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY IN TEHSIL HAZRO

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of non-communicable disease patients reporting directly to Tertiary care hospital, Rawalpindi. To identify the barriers of utilizing primary and secondary healthcare among non-communicable disease patients by using adapted WHO Rapid Assessment of Referral Care System Questionnaire.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey.

Place and Duration of Study: Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Oct to Dec 2020.

Methodology: The sampling method employed was non-probability convenience sampling on 450 non-communicable disease patients. The data was collected by using an adapted version of world health organization Rapid Assessment of Referral care system questionnaire. Frequencies and percentages were calculated.

Results: Of the 450 participants, 252 (56%) were females, 270 (60%) were diabetic, 137 (30%) had hypertension and only 43 (9.6%) reported with respiratory diseases. More than 346 (80%) came directly to the tertiary care hospital while only 86 (19%) were referred, 255 (70%) visited tertiary care because of good quality of care, rest of them 109 (30%) had other reasons.

Conclusion: Inadequate utilization of health facilities at primary and secondary level results in overburdening of the tertiary health care facilities.