article · European Journal of Health Sciences
This research assesses the factors shaping how people with type 2 diabetes use healthcare services across thirteen medical facilities in the North West Region of Cameroon. Using questionnaire data gathered over four months, the analysis reveals that 52.85 percent of diabetic patients prefer private healthcare facilities over public ones, despite the greater financial expenses linked to private treatment. Key determinants driving facility choice include the educational background and income levels of patients. Individuals primarily choose private centres due to perceptions of greater comfort and speedier service delivery, even though both public and private practitioners follow identical codes of conduct. The findings suggest that improving the perceived comfort and reducing patient waiting times in public facilities could improve outcomes and ease the cost burdens faced by patients seeking chronic illness management.
Understanding patient preferences helps health authorities design better chronic disease management strategies. When public services fail to meet patient expectations regarding speed and comfort, individuals absorb higher personal costs in the private sector. Addressing these service disparities can help lower financial burdens and ensure more equitable care for people managing long-term conditions like diabetes.
The findings provide early-stage behavioural and operational insights that could guide health system planners and private healthcare operators in optimising service delivery. Private providers can identify demand factors to refine their customer care models, whilst public administrators could use the data to improve workflow efficiencies. However, the abstract does not indicate a direct commercial application pathway or product.
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Purpose: Healthcare utilization patterns and behavior of individuals, including diabetic patients, play a crucial role in determining the use of healthcare services. This research examines the determinants of health utilisation patterns among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Northwest region of Cameroon. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 4 months in 13 healthcare facilities in the NWR. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered by trained nurses and analyzed using Stata 15 software. Regression analyses were conducted to explore factors influencing the choice of health facility type use as a proxy for healthcare utilisation pattern, while descriptive statistics summarized socio-demographic characteristics and healthcare utilization patterns. Findings: The study found that a majority of diabetes patients (52.85%) in the Northwest region of Cameroon prefer private health facilities over public health facilities, despite the higher cost associated with private care. Regression analyses revealed that factors such as income level and educational status influenced the choice of health facility. Most patients opt for private facilities for perceived comfort and faster services, although all healthcare providers adhere to the same code of conduct. Unique Contribution to Theory Practice and Policy: To improve healthcare outcomes and reduce the cost burden, enhancing the quality of care provided in public health facilities is crucial, ensuring greater comfort and minimizing waiting times for patients. Further research and interventions are needed to address the determinants and implications of health utilization patterns in diabetes care in Cameroon.
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DOI: 10.47672/ejhs.2707
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