Utilization of Diabetes and Hypertension Screening among the Thai Population and Determining Factors in 2019 and 2023.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the utilization of screening services for diabetes and hypertension, and the factors associated with service utilization among the Thai population aged 15 years and older who underwent screening for preventive purposes rather than due to illness in 2019 and 2023, representing the periods before and after the COVID - 19 pandemic. The study uses data from the Health and Welfare Survey conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and pooled binary logistic regression on pooled repeated cross-sectional data. The results showed that the proportion of the Thai population without illness who received diabetes and hypertension screening services in 2023 was significantly lower than that in 2019 (OR = 0.61). The binary logistic regression analysis indicates that gender, age, marital status, region of residence, educational level, occupation, and health welfare were statistically significantly associated with diabetes and hypertension screening utilization among the Thai population aged 15 years and older in both 2019 and 2023. Meanwhile, gender and marital status exhibited statistically significant associations only in 2023, and age and health welfare demonstrated strong associations with diabetes and hypertension screening. Furthermore, comparisons of the direction of association across the two years revealed differences in the region of residence. Therefore, promoting accessibility to diabetes and hypertension screenings service among the Thai population is a crucial policy measure. Efforts should focus on promoting screening utilization among males, aged 15 – 34 years, individuals who are single, municipal residents - particularly in Bangkok and the Central region, those with a medium level of education, and government, state enterprise and private employees. In addition, promoting diabetes and hypertension screening coverage across all categories of health welfare.

Keywords: Mass Screening; Diabetes Mellitus; Hypertension; Health Services Accessibility