Continuity of Care among Diabetes Patients and Their Health Providers in Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Introduction Diabetes Mellitus is no more a condition of the affluence but a fast-rising non-contagious disease of global importance which still remains a leading cause of indisposition and death. Currently about half a billion people are suffering from this condition globally. Research has it that 8 out of 10 adults are living with Diabetes in sub-Saharan countries. Ghana over the years has a prevalence rate of diabetes patients to be 9% making it quite disturbing. Although there has been an existing care among diabetics and their health providers, there is the need to know the extent of continuity of care between diabetics and their health providers. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the extent of continuity (Relational, Longitudinal, Flexible and Team) and satisfaction of care between diabetic patients and their care providers. Methodology This study was facility-based cross-sectional study which was conducted among diabetics in in Greater Accra Region. Data was collected via the use of a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and four dimensions of continuity of care and patients’ satisfaction was obtained using ODK software and exported to Stata 15 for analysis. Means and standard deviations were determined for continuous variables. Pearson chi-square test was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the strength of association of factors associated with relational continuity of care. Reported p-values < 0.05. Results The highest extent of continuity of care was team continuity (mean=0.9) followed by relational and flexibility continuity of care (mean=0.8). Longitudinal continuity of care was the least experienced by patients (mean=0.5). Most patients (98.3%) were satisfied with diabetes care they received from health care providers. Factors associated with high relational continuity of care: high flexible continuity of care and low longitudinal continuity Conclusion Experience of continuity of care among diabetics is high excluding longitudinal continuity of care. High relational continuity of care translated into high satisfaction of diabetes care received from health care providers. Good adherence to medication and high team continuity of care positively influenced attainment of high relational continuity of care. Further research is needed in order to understand the extent of longitudinal continuity and its effect on relational continuity