Health Seeking Behavior of Diabetic Patients in Kenya.

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is progressive in nature, and can lead to irreversible complications or even death. The burden of care from complications and death among diabetic patients in Kenya is a major concern. Early diagnosis and treatment can help stem this burden. There are many people living with diabetes undiagnosed and only seek healthcare services when they have developed multiple chronic complications. Among people already diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, there is a percentage that is not on treatment, some never initiated treatment and others dropped out of treatment (Karinja et al 2019). This necessitate the development of strategies or interventions to encourage patients to seek professional or expert healthcare in order to reduce the complications and deaths among diabetic patients. This cannot be achieved without understanding the factors that are associated with the health seeking choices of diabetic patients. This study sought to understand the factors associated with the health seeking choices of diabetic patients in Kenya. The study is based on Grossmans investment model of health and has used probit model due to binary nature of the dependent variable. The data used is from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey, 2015-2016. The study results revealed that 89% of diabetic patients were diagnosed by a health worker, while only 67% of the patients sought professional healthcare. The study found out that completing secondary school level of education or higher, salary, being diagnosed by a health worker, and being employed significantly influences the decision to seek professional healthcare. Being diagnosed by a health worker was found to have the strongest positive relationship with seeking professional healthcare. Based on these findings, the study therefore recommends that there is need for frequent community sensitization and awareness program on diabetes such as free medical camps directed to individuals running their own or family business and the unemployed. The study also recommends policies that would help to incorporate diabetes screening and treatment in all out-patient health services in the country.