Reasons for Consultation among Patients attending Primary Healthcare Centres in Oman
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2013, Vol 13, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Pathways to care or care-seeking, which translate into healthcare utilisation, have been investigated in many parts of the world, but there is a dearth of studies in the Arabian Gulf. Te aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of attendees at primary healthcare centres in northern Oman and their reasons for visiting. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 676 participants attending 12 primary healthcare centres between June and July 2006. Te catchment area was selected to represent the population structure in Oman. Te 12-item questionnaire was read to every ffth eligible patient entering each healthcare centre for a routine appointment. Analyses were conducted using univariate statistics. Results: About a third (n = 200; 29.6%) of the participants had a history of chronic illness; 231 (34%) were on regular medications; 211 (31%) were taking part in health education programmes; 130 (19%) were open to complementary medicine. Te majority of the participants mentioned physician's advice (n = 570; 84%) as the strongest reason for seeking consultation. Conversely, physician's advice was strongly related to particular demographic factors. Conclusion: Tis observational study identifed some characteristics and reasons for visiting healthcare facilities in northern Oman. Tese are discussed within the context of prevailing sociocultural factors. Te implications for the prevention and detection of ill health in Oman are also discussed.
Authors and Affiliations
Ahmed Al-Mandhari| Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Samir Al-Adawi| Departments of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Ibrahim Al-Zakwani| Departments of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Atsu Dorvlo| Department of Mathematics & Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Mohammed Al-Shafaee| Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Keywords
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