Home-based care for noncommunicable diseases and patient satisfaction: A community-based cross-sectional study from Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Background and Aims: In Tamil Nadu, India, the government has launched a home-based noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) care scheme to deliver health services at the doorstep of the beneficiaries. Hence, this study aimed to determine patient satisfaction and the factors associated with home-based care for diabetes and hypertension. Methodology: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2022. The sample size was 427, and the participants were selected by a simple random sampling method. We used the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 to assess satisfaction. Results: The overall satisfaction score was 3.63 (0.44). Mean (standard deviation) satisfaction was highest in the financial aspect and the lowest in accessibility and convenience. The prevalence of adequate satisfaction with home-based care was 57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.8%–61.4%). Participants belonging to social class 2 (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.15–1.96), P = 0.002), having a duration of NCD between 1 and 5 years (aPR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10–1.92, P = 0.008), and not delivering all drugs for NCDs (aPR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.80, P = 0.021) were significantly associated with inadequate satisfaction. However, 90% of the participants were willing to continue home-based NCD care. Conclusion: Overall, patient satisfaction was 57%. Measures to distribute all the medication and routine monitoring of the scheme are necessary.