Patterns of Health Care Utilization for Noncommunicable Diseases in a Transitional European Country: Results From the National Health Survey.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess possible differences in health services utilization among people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina, with special reference to NCD multimorbidity. In addition, the relationship between self-perceived health and health care utilization was assessed. Data were retrieved from the 2010 National Health Survey. A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 4,673 persons aged 18 years and older were identified in the households, of which 4,128 were interviewed. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the effects of NCDs on health care utilization in RS. Respondents with NCD multimorbidity more frequently visited family physicians (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34 - 3.19), dentists (OR, 1.57; CI, 1.28 - 1.92), private doctors (OR, 2.14; CI, 1.74 - 2.64), and urgent care departments (OR, 2.30; CI, 1.75 - 3.03) than their counterparts without NCDs. They also had more hospital admissions (OR, 2.03; CI, 1.56 - 2.64). This is the first study to address the relationship between health care utilization and NCDs in the population of RS. Further research is needed to explore how best to organize health care to meet the needs of people in RS with NCDs, especially with NCD multimorbidity.