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Background Elevated blood pressure is the leading risk factor for global mortality. While it is known that there exist differences between men and women with respect to socioeconomic status, self-reported health, and healthcare utilization, there are few published studies from Africa. This study therefore aims to characterize differences in self-reported health status, healthcare utilization, and costs between men and women with elevated blood pressure in Kenya. Methods Data from 1447 participants enrolled in the LARK Hypertension study in western Kenya were analyzed. Latent class analysis based on five dependent variables was performed to describe patterns of healthcare utilization and costs in the study population. Regression analysis was then performed to describe the relationship between different demographics and each outcome. Results Women in our study had higher rates of unemployment (28% vs 12%), were more likely to report lower monthly earnings (72% vs 51%), and had more outpatient visits (39% vs 28%) and pharmacy prescriptions (42% vs 30%). Women were also more likely to report lower quality-of-life and functional health status, including pain, mobility, self-care, and ability to perform usual activities. Three patterns of healthcare utilization were described: (1) individuals with low healthcare utilization, (2) individuals who utilized care and paid high out-of-pocket costs, and (3) individuals who utilized care but had lower out-of-pocket costs. Women and those with health insurance were more likely to be in the high-cost utilizer group. Conclusions Men and women with elevated blood pressure in Kenya have different health care utilization behaviors, cost and economic burdens, and self-perceived health status. Awareness of these sex differences can help inform targeted interventions in these populations.

The spring semester ended up with reopen of schools in September.The group of students we tutored online (n = 94) have started their new semester in the outpatient and inpatient departments. We had a survey on them and get a feedback that 73 of them (about 78%) considered the online clerkship helpful for their consequent clinical studies. Seventy-eight students (about 83%) chose the answer that the online clerkship in our department was helpful to them. Although it is obvious that real-world clinical clerkship is more attractive, some of these students (n = 38, about 40%) even preferred online tutorial because they felt relaxed when having class at home. Seventy students (about 75%) believe that it would be a great loss if they could not have any clerkship when studying at medical school.