Factors associated with lost-to-follow-up among adult hypertensive patients in Holeta town, Central Ethiopia 2024.

Abstract

Background: - This study is significant since non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent in developing nations, such as Ethiopia. Blood pressure is the primary problem that almost all developing nations face this challenge. To prevent hypertension-related damage and other consequences, it is important that people with hypertension have regular follow-up care. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of follow-up discontinuation among adult hypertensive patients. Method: - We used facility based unmatched case-control study in the town from April 08-May 07/2024. The data was collected by structured questionnaires which adapted from previously used questionnaires. We collect data within a month. A questionnaire was administered by an interviewer to gather data from both cases and controls. Before we started data collection, we had to code each questionnaire. There were consistency and cross-validation checks. The data was collected by Kobo Toolbox and export and analysis was done by SPSS version 20. Result:- A total of 282 respondents—94 cases and 188 controls—participated in the study; participants were between the mean age and Standard divisions of 52.59+11.05 for cases and 50.4+11.17 for controls; male respondents were 54.7% of cases and 56.8% of controls, respectively. Lack of community health insurance (AOR=2.992, 95%CI [1.646, 5.440]), Opinion of thinking hypertension is curable (AOR=2.551, 95%CI [1.265, 5.145]) and waiting time > 1hr (AOR=3.634, 95%CI [2.008, 6.577]) significantly associated with the lost to follow-up. Discussion: - In this study, the factors associated to lost to follow-up among hypertensive patients drop out of follow-up care were identified. From those the factors like: - waiting time at health facility, community health insurance enrollment, Patients knowledge of hypertension treatment and follow up duration. Therefore, The Holeta town health Office and health facilities working with making patients with raised blood pressure beneficiaries of community health insurance service give health education on treatment follow up and improve waiting time of the patients in health facilities