Preventive Behavior For Diabetes Among Universal Health Care Coverage Beneficiaries

Silaruks, B., and Limwattananon, and Limwattananon, C., and Tangcharoensathien, and Schommer, J.C., (2005) Preventive Behavior For Diabetes Among Universal Health Care Coverage Beneficiaries. Malaysian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3 (2). pp. 104-104. ISSN 16575-7319

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) screening is very low although this service is covered by the universal health care coverage program. This study described the variation in preventive behavior among universal health care coverage beneficiaries in rural communities of Thailand.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-nine benefi-ciaries aged 35-59 years were randomly interviewed using structural questionnaires. The questionnaires included personal history, knowledge and practices relevant to DM preventive behavior of the individuals.

RESULTS: About 38.75% of the beneficiaries had used the screening service for DM. One third was screened at sub district health centers and another third were screened at health mobile units. Need for screening and motivation from health practitioners were the major reasons of screening use (58.04% and 19.64%, respectively). Two third of the beneficiaries who had never used the DM screening ignored annual health care service and 6.21% of them feared the result of screening. For an intention to screen, some nonusers avoided the screening because of feeling of good health (33.33%), fear of screening (3.39%) and fear of the screening result (1.69%). However, others planned to be screened in the future and mostly planned to be screened at their health centers (53.21 %), community hospitals (21.10%) and health mobile units (20.18%). The utilization rate, attitude toward health care and health personnel, awareness of the disease, and exercise preference in the user group were significantly greater than in the nonusers (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: The beneficiaries who knew the disease, believed in their own susceptibility and believed in the benefit of early detection used preventive care service for DM. Health promotion campaign may encourage positive life style change and the involvement by pharmacist may increase positive perception of preventive practice. In future studies, pharmacist's role in primary care and community participation should be emphasized

Preventive Behavior For Diabetes Among Universal Health Care Coverage Beneficiaries

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Abstract