Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- Ghana
Abstract Background Though ageing is not a disease, it has been associated with the occurrence of conditions which require health service utilisation. Ghana’s population is characterised by a steady growth in the number of older adults and previous studies have noted limited levels regarding utilisa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-017-2604-6 |
| _version_ | 1828422593823113216 |
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| author | Jonathan Bayuo |
| author_facet | Jonathan Bayuo |
| author_sort | Jonathan Bayuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Though ageing is not a disease, it has been associated with the occurrence of conditions which require health service utilisation. Ghana’s population is characterised by a steady growth in the number of older adults and previous studies have noted limited levels regarding utilisation by older persons. Methods Thus, this study utilised a qualitative approach to explore older persons’ experiences regarding out-patient hospital service utilisation in the Asante Akyem North District of Ghana. The aim was to generate findings that will guide future policies. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematic analysis executed. The Andersen’s Behavioural Model was used as a guiding framework. Results Medical condition was noted to characterise the need component of utilisation. Also, perceived effects of ageing, beliefs and past health status predisposed an older person to utilise available services. Beliefs were noted to make an older person utilise either orthodox or herbal services. Despite these, family support (in the form of financial assistance), accessibility (health facility, health professional, medication and information) and health care costs either enabled or prevented an older person from utilising services. Despite the existence of the National Health Insurance Scheme, health care costs are high and that delayed utilisation or made others avoid the services altogether. The care processes were noted to be cumbersome and involved long hours; though these features were noted to be absent whilst utilising traditional medicine services and this provides an avenue for further research in assessing patient outcomes associated with traditional medicine usage. These findings might be contributing factors to why other studies identified limited usage of health services among older persons in Ghana. Conclusion Though older persons in the district may feel the need to utilise health services on outpatient basis, the enabling factors (notably finance) appeared to be a driving force to actual utilisation. Thus, more innovative health care financing strategies are needed to enhance the coverage of health services for older persons in the district. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T15:49:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7178ec82631d42b19c89a8065c0fb64a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T15:49:50Z |
| publishDate | 2017-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-7178ec82631d42b19c89a8065c0fb64a2022-12-22T01:42:50ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632017-09-0117111210.1186/s12913-017-2604-6Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- GhanaJonathan Bayuo0Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Presbyterian University CollegeAbstract Background Though ageing is not a disease, it has been associated with the occurrence of conditions which require health service utilisation. Ghana’s population is characterised by a steady growth in the number of older adults and previous studies have noted limited levels regarding utilisation by older persons. Methods Thus, this study utilised a qualitative approach to explore older persons’ experiences regarding out-patient hospital service utilisation in the Asante Akyem North District of Ghana. The aim was to generate findings that will guide future policies. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematic analysis executed. The Andersen’s Behavioural Model was used as a guiding framework. Results Medical condition was noted to characterise the need component of utilisation. Also, perceived effects of ageing, beliefs and past health status predisposed an older person to utilise available services. Beliefs were noted to make an older person utilise either orthodox or herbal services. Despite these, family support (in the form of financial assistance), accessibility (health facility, health professional, medication and information) and health care costs either enabled or prevented an older person from utilising services. Despite the existence of the National Health Insurance Scheme, health care costs are high and that delayed utilisation or made others avoid the services altogether. The care processes were noted to be cumbersome and involved long hours; though these features were noted to be absent whilst utilising traditional medicine services and this provides an avenue for further research in assessing patient outcomes associated with traditional medicine usage. These findings might be contributing factors to why other studies identified limited usage of health services among older persons in Ghana. Conclusion Though older persons in the district may feel the need to utilise health services on outpatient basis, the enabling factors (notably finance) appeared to be a driving force to actual utilisation. Thus, more innovative health care financing strategies are needed to enhance the coverage of health services for older persons in the district.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-017-2604-6 |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan Bayuo Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- Ghana BMC Health Services Research |
| title | Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- Ghana |
| title_full | Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- Ghana |
| title_short | Experiences with out-patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the Asante Akyem North District- Ghana |
| title_sort | experiences with out patient hospital service utilisation among older persons in the asante akyem north district ghana |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-017-2604-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jonathanbayuo experienceswithoutpatienthospitalserviceutilisationamongolderpersonsintheasanteakyemnorthdistrictghana |