Factors related to utilization diabetes mellitus patients at Ban khaoro Health Center Thung Song District Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

The study was to examine factors related to utilization behaviors of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients at Ban Khaoro health center, Thung Song District, Nakhon-Si-Thammarat Province. The research design was a descriptive research. The samples consisted of eighty-four patients under the responsible areas of Ban Khaoro health center. All of them were diagnosed as non-insulin dependent diabetics from 1 January to 31 March 2002. The research sites were at Ban Khaoro health center and the patients’ houses for the sample group not receiving health care services at the health center. The data were collected by self – administered questionnaires. Statistics used for data analysis were percentage, means, standard deviation, Chi-square, Fisher Exact test, Mann-Whitney U Test. The significant level was set at 0.05. The results showed that among the total 84 non-insulin dependent diabetics, only 51 diabetics (60.71%) receiving health services at the health center and 33 diabetics (39.29%) refusing the health services. Reasons for receiving health services. The main reasons for those receiving health services at the health center were convenience in transportation (19 diabetics, 37.25%), less expenditure (16 diabetics, 31.38%), service satisfaction (11 diabetics, 21.57%), and close to their houses (5 diabetics, 9.80%). Reasons for refusing health services. The main reasons for those refusing health services included no signs of diabetes (10 diabetics, 30.30%), inconvenience in transportation (7 diabetics, 21.21%), receiving health care services at other health care units (5 diabetics, 15.15%), treatment with herbal medicines (5 diabetics, 15.15%), wrong belief that the diabetes was cured (5 diabetics, 15.15%), and dissatisfaction in services (1 diabetics, 3.04%). When comparing the differences between the two groups, it was found that there were significant differences in sexes, marital status, occupations, complicating diabetes, knowledge about diabetics, health perception, satisfaction in time, distance and convenience in transportation. In terms of blood glucose controls, most of the those receiving services at the health center (39 diabetics, 76.48%) could successfully control their blood glucose levels, about 7 (13.72%) could occasionally control their blood glucose levels while only 5 diabetics (9.80%) could not control their blood glucose levels. It was recommended that Ministry of Public Health should emphasize their policy on special health care for the chronic disease patients at the health centers, particularly diabetes. In addition, the model from the present study can be trail at the health centers, particularly those that are Primary Care Unit (PCU). The information obtained will be useful for the improvement of the health care services, especially for the patients who have the constraints on convenience of traveling to Ban Khaoro health center. This can ensure the high quality and accessible health care services for the communities.