Analyzing Factors That Contribute to Patient Adherence to the Required Repeat Hospital Visits in Kenya

Abstract

Adherence to repeat hospital visits is the degree to which individuals follow the given treatment regulations after visiting a health facility, which includes making all the required visits which is a key component in the general management of diseases. This research project was analyzing the factors that contribute to patient adherence to the required repeat hospital visits in Kenya. Adherence to required repeat hospital visit entails making all the subsequent appointments as directed by your physician. It also involves taking all medication as prescribed. This analysis will bring out the extent of adherence to all required visits and the degree of respecting the instructions as given from the health care facility. This form of adherence to health instructions is often a significant aspect of treatment, especially the treatment of chronic conditions (WHO, 2002) in order to derive the maximum medical benefits. In Kenya, there has been disease incidences which reported by public health facilities and hospital visitations are expected to be significant in forming part of the patient healing. There are disease incidences and mortality cases that can be avoided. Adherence improves the health status of the individuals and healthcare maximum benefits are critical. The main purpose of the analysis was to estimate the pattern of obedience to repeat hospital visits and medication in Kenya while evaluating the effects of demographic and socio-economic factors in relation to adherence to repeat hospital visits. This analysis used a descriptive study design to analyze the factors that induce patient towards adherence to repeat visits. The analysis used a probit model to estimation of the factors that influence adherence to and the extent of adherence to required repeat hospital visits in Kenya. The study used the Kenya Household Health Expenditure and Utilization Survey (KHHEUS) data from Kenya National and Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The study variables that are found to be influencing patient adherence to required repeat hospital visits are distance (18.1%), employment (13.1%), quality of health care services (12.2%), being employed (13.1%), higher levels of education (9.6%) and gender (3.9%). The study recommends for shortening of the distance travelled by patients to hospitals, improvement of the quality of health care services. Additionally, from the study results, there is need to promote literacy to tertiary levels since this has been observed to be an important factor contributing positively to adherence to repeat visits. Provision and promotion of employment opportunities will spur adherence since this takes care of the ability to pay for health care costs. From the findings also, there is need to do sensitization to males who less likely to be more adherent that the female counterparts. In addition, health care services should be mad affordable thus eliminate the issue of cost that may deter adherence.