Low Use of Health Care Services After Hypertension Screening in Tanzania
Author Information
Author(s): Bovet Pascal, Gervasoni Jean-Pierre, Mkamba Mashombo, Balampama Marianna, Lengeler Christian, Paccaud Fred
Primary Institution: University Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne
Hypothesis
What factors influence the utilization of health services for hypertension management in a low-income urban population?
Conclusion
The study found that only one third of hypertensive individuals attended health services after being advised to do so, indicating low utilization and poor long-term compliance.
Supporting Evidence
- Only 34% of hypertensive participants attended a health care facility during the 12-month follow-up.
- Among those who attended, only 3% were taking antihypertensive medication at the end of the follow-up.
- Health service utilization was associated with older age and being overweight.
Takeaway
In Tanzania, many people who were told they had high blood pressure didn't go to the doctor for help, which is not good for their health.
Methodology
A population-based survey was conducted with 9254 participants aged 25-64 in Dar es Salaam, focusing on health service utilization after hypertension screening.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include self-reported health service utilization and the exclusion of participants already on antihypertensive treatment.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size for some analyses and may not generalize to other populations.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adults aged 25-64 years from a low-income urban area in Dar es Salaam.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.038
Confidence Interval
(26–49)
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website