Abstract
BackgroundLike many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Ghanaian healthcare system remains poor which is likely to affect the utilisation of healthcare services, especially among poor older people who are faced with multiple health problems. Yet, factors that explain healthcare use among poor older people in LMICs, particularly Ghana remain largely unexplored. Understanding the predictors of healthcare use among poor older people could have a huge impact on health policies in LMICs including Ghana. This study, therefore, examined factors associated with healthcare use among poor older people under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana.MethodsCross-sectional data were obtained from an Ageing, Health, Lifestyle and Health Services (AHLHS) study conducted between 1 and 20 June 2018 (N = 200) in Atwima Nwabiagya District, Ghana. Sequential logistic regression models were performed to estimate the variables that predict healthcare use among poor older people. All test results were considered significant at 0.05 or less.ResultsThe fully adjusted model showed that respondents aged 85–89 years (AOR = 0.094, CI: 0.007–1.170), acquired basic education (AOR =0.251, CI: 0.085–0.987), received no family support (AOR = 0.771, CI: 0.120–0.620), with no past illness records (AOR = 0.236, CI: 0.057–0.197) and who were not diagnosed of chronic non-communicable diseases (AOR = 0.418, CI: 0.101–0.723) were significantly less likely to utilise health facility compared with their respective counterparts. Moreover, those with no disability (AOR = 19.245, CI: 2.415–29.921) and who consumed low fruits (AOR = 1.435 = CI: 0.552–8.740) and vegetables (AOR = 1.202 = CI: 0.362–10.20) had a higher likelihood to use healthcare.ConclusionThe study has outlined multiple factors influencing utilisation of healthcare among poor older people under the LEAP programme in Ghana. The results, therefore, validate the importance of social and behavioural determinants of healthcare use in the Ghanaian poor older population. We highlight the need for health planners and stakeholders to consider demographic, socio-economic, health-related and lifestyle factors when formulating health policy for poor older people in Ghana.
Highlights
Like many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Ghanaian healthcare system remains poor which is likely to affect the utilisation of healthcare services, especially among poor older people who are faced with multiple health problems
It was no wonder that most of the study participants were females. This is because about 75% of the beneficiaries who are enrolled in the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme are females
This study examined the factors associated with healthcare use among poor older people under the LEAP programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana
Summary
Like many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Ghanaian healthcare system remains poor which is likely to affect the utilisation of healthcare services, especially among poor older people who are faced with multiple health problems. This study, examined factors associated with healthcare use among poor older people under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. It gives financial protection to people and households that are considered extremely poor [3, 4] Those who benefit from the LEAP programme comprise older people aged 65 years or more, orphaned and vulnerable children, and persons with disabilities [3, 5]. They get a bi-monthly amount of GH¢ 64 and 106 (US$13.42–22.23) as a minimum and maximum amounts, respectively [6]. It provides support for older persons to utilise healthcare services [7]
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