Association between non-communicable diseases and satisfaction with healthcare and self-rated health: experiences from post-conflict communities

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Estimating the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD), multimorbidities, and their association with self-rated health as well as satisfaction with healthcare. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among ethnic Serb communities at Kosovo and Metohija during 2015−2016. Data of socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, self-rated health status and satisfaction with healthcare was obtained through a survey which included 1067 adults, 535 of whom reported presence of NCD. Multinomial regression was performed to analysis factors associated with self-rated health and self-rated satisfaction with the healthcare. Results. Presence of one NCD was reported by 50.1% respondents, whereas 23.1% of the respondents reported multimorbidity. While self-reported NCD presence was negatively associated with self-rated health (p = 0.001–0.016), no association between NCDs and satisfaction with healthcare was observed (p = 0.178–0.974). Being single (p = 0.011–0.017), lower educational level (p = 0.031–0.047), regular breakfast (p = 0.032), frequent vegetable intake (p = 0.009–0.029), no alcohol use (p = 0.010), shorter waiting time (p = 0.001–0.004) and sufficient finance for dental care (p = 0.021) were factors statistically significantly correlated with greater satisfaction with the healthcare. Conclusion. Presence of NCD was negatively associated with self-rated health status, while shorter waiting time and adequate finances were associated with higher level of satisfaction with the healthcare. The results of our study could be of the importance for policy makers in creating the more effective healthcare service in unstable political and security situations.

Keywords

• chronic diseases
• health status
• adult population