Abstract
Global morbidity associated with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has increased over the years. In Thailand, NCDs are among the most prevalent of all health problems, and affect both Thai citizens and non-Thai residents, such as expatriates. Key barriers to NCD health service utilization among expatriates include cultural and language differences. This study aimed to describe the situation and factors associated with NCD service utilizations among expatriate patients in Thailand. We employed a cross-sectional study design and used the service records of public hospitals from the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) during the fiscal years 2014–2018. The focus of this study was on expatriates or those who had stayed in Thailand for at least three months. The results showed that, after 2014, there was an increasing trend in NCD service utilizations among expatriate patients for both outpatient (OP) and inpatient (IP) care. For OP care, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) expatriates had fewer odds of NCD service utilization, relative to non-CLMV expatriates (p-value < 0.001). For IP care, males tended to have greater odds of NCD service utilization compared with females (AdjOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.05–1.74, p-value = 0.019). Increasing age showed a significant association with NCD service utilization. In addition, there was a growing trend of the NCD prevalence amongst expatriate patients. This issue points to a need for prompt public health actions if Thailand aims to have all people on its soil protected with universal health coverage for their well-being, as stipulated in the Sustainable Development Goals. Future studies that aim to collect primary evidence of expatriates at the household level should be conducted. Additional research on other societal factors that may help provide a better insight into access to healthcare for NCDs, such as socioeconomic status, beliefs, and attitudes, should be conducted.
Highlights
In the multivariable logistic regression for OP service, we found that being older showed a significant association with increasing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) service access by about 1.34 times relative to the working age group (AdjOR = 1.34 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.28–1.41)
The above reasons were consistent with our findings because we found that, for IP care, access to NCD services was more evident amongst males than females
This study reaffirms that NCDs are a growing public health concern amongst expatriates in Thailand
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill over 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. 15 million people aged between 30 and 69 years die from NCDs and over 85%. Of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries [1]. The global movement on NCDs receives increasing support to tackle the problem from a number of parties. One of the most distinct examples of this is the United Nations, which set a target to reduce deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025 [2]. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have a target to achieve a decline of premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030 [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
