Diabetes Mellitus: Current Challenges and Barriers in The Delivery and Utilization of Health Care in A Coastal District of Karnataka

Abstract

Introduction: Barriers and challenges in the provision of essential services for diabetes mellitus often result in high rates of complications. Early diagnosis of diabetes has many clinical advantages, such as early and prompt initiation of treatment and thus avoiding occurrence of vascular complications in many people. The study was conducted to identify barriers and challenges in health care delivery and utilization of service for the prevention and control of Diabetes Mellitus.

Methodology: Total 12 FGDs was conducted with healthcare providers and care seekers from the community each. The FGDs was also being record using a voice recorder. Transcriptions from the audio recordings were the empirical basis for the content analysis.

Observation:- Health care providers related barriers reported are Lack of training, Lack of motivation, Lack of consultation time due to high patient load, Lack of adequate staff. Patients related barriers reported are socio- economic constraints, Cultural constraints, difficulty in diet restriction, and difficulty in changing behavioural Lack of skills in self care.

Conclusion: Lack of adequate staff leads to high patient load causing lack of adequate time for health care delivery. Health care system related barriers like Non availability of drugs, Doctor patient communication gap are few of the barriers and challenges for utilization of heath care service.