“Factors associated with low treatment seeking behavior among patients of Hypertension and
Diabetes”
INTRODUCTION.
Hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are rapidly emerging as public health threats in
developing countries.[1,2] HTN and DM are high in geriatric population across all geographical area
and sociodemographic groups in uganda.[3,4] HTN and DM affect 1 billion and 422 million[6] people
worldwide, respectively.
Treatment-seeking behavior significantly influences the course and outcome of mental, social and
physical problems associated with Hypertension and Diabetes. However, there is a dearth of
information on the treatment-seeking behaviour of persons with Hypertension and Diabetes in
Uganda.
Understanding treatment-seeking behaviors and associated factors of Hypertension and Diabetes
patients in local communities helps to improve health services via promoting prompt treatment,
improving patients’ prognosis, finding information and timely treatment.
80% of people suffering from Hypertension and diabetes do not actually know they have it and this
attributable to low poor treatment seeking behavior. This study therefore aims at un earthing the
barriers and enablers for this behavior.
Need for the study
Hypertension or elevated blood pressure ̶ is a serious medical condition that significantly increases
the risks of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases. An estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years
worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries an
estimated 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. Less than half
of adults (42%) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated
References.
1. Bhardwaj R, Kandori A, Marwah R, Vaidya P, Singh B, Dhiman P, et al. Prevalence, awareness and
control of hypertension in rural communities of Himachal Pradesh. J Assoc Physicians India.
2010;58:423–4. 429. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
2. Verma R, Khanna P, Mehta B. National programme on prevention and control of diabetes in India:
Need to focus. Australas Med J. 2012;5:310–5. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
Problem Statement:
"Exploring Factors Associated with Low Treatment-Seeking Behavior Among Patients with
Hypertension and Diabetes: A Multidimensional Analysis"
Problem Description:
Hypertension and diabetes are two of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, posing
significant health risks and economic burdens. Effective management of these conditions primarily
relies on timely medical intervention, regular monitoring, and adherence to treatment plans.
However, a considerable number of patients with hypertension and diabetes do not know they have
it and exhibit low treatment-seeking behavior, leading to suboptimal health outcomes and increased
healthcare costs. Understanding the factors associated with this phenomenon is crucial for
developing targeted interventions to improve treatment-seeking behavior and overall patient wellbeing.
This study aims to investigate the multidimensional factors contributing to low treatment-seeking
behavior among patients with hypertension and diabetes. By examining various aspects such as
individual characteristics, socioeconomic factors, healthcare system barriers, psychosocial
influences, and cultural aspects, we seek to identify the underlying determinants influencing
patients' decisions to seek or delay seeking treatment. Through a comprehensive analysis, we aim to
provide evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations to healthcare providers,
policymakers, and stakeholders to address the gaps in treatment-seeking behavior and enhance
patient care for hypertension and diabetes.
Key research questions:
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What are the individual characteristics that influence treatment-seeking behavior among
patients with hypertension and diabetes?
How do socioeconomic factors such as income, education, and health insurance coverage
impact treatment-seeking behavior for these conditions?
What are the healthcare system-related barriers (e.g., accessibility, affordability, quality of
care) that contribute to low treatment-seeking behavior among patients with hypertension
and diabetes?
How do psychosocial factors, including patient beliefs, attitudes, and social support,
influence treatment-seeking behavior?
To what extent do cultural factors, including cultural norms, beliefs, and stigmatization,
affect treatment-seeking behavior for hypertension and diabetes?
By addressing these research questions, this study aims to generate valuable insights into the
multifaceted factors associated with low treatment-seeking behavior among patients with
hypertension and diabetes. The findings will contribute to the development of targeted
interventions, policies, and healthcare strategies aimed at improving treatment-seeking behavior,
reducing health disparities, and promoting better outcomes for individuals with these chronic
conditions.
Multidimensional Analysis is a statistical technique used to examine complex
relationships between multiple variables in a dataset. It allows researchers to explore
patterns, associations, and interactions among various dimensions or factors
simultaneously.
In the context of the questionnaire on cultural factors and treatment-seeking behavior for
hypertension and diabetes, multidimensional analysis can help uncover the interplay between
cultural norms, beliefs, stigmatization, and other variables that may influence treatmentseeking behavior. By analyzing the data collected from the questionnaire, researchers can
identify patterns and relationships among different cultural factors and their impact on
individuals' decisions to seek treatment.
The multidimensional analysis may involve techniques such as:
1. Factor Analysis: to identify underlying factors or dimensions that explain the variance
in responses related to cultural norms, beliefs, and stigmatization.
2. Cluster Analysis: to group individuals based on their responses, identifying distinct
subgroups within the sample population based on cultural factors and treatmentseeking behavior.
3. Regression Analysis: to assess the relationship between cultural factors (independent
variables) and treatment-seeking behavior (dependent variable), controlling for other
relevant variables such as demographics, access to healthcare, and social support.
4. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM): to examine the complex relationships among
cultural factors, treatment-seeking behavior, and other variables, taking into account
direct and indirect effects.
By conducting a multidimensional analysis, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of
how cultural factors interact and influence treatment-seeking behavior for hypertension and
diabetes. This analysis can provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and
policymakers in developing targeted interventions and strategies to improve healthcare access
and address cultural barriers to treatment.