Investigator(s)
| Submitter |
Pema Yangzom School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health Nagasaki University Nagasaki, Japan Pema Yangzom 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Pema Yangzom School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health Nagasaki University Nagasaki, Japan Department of Clinical Services National Medical Services Ministry of Health Thimphu, Bhutan Pema Yangzom
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Hirotsugu Aiga Deputy Dean, Inter-faculty Initiative for Planetary Health (IFIPH) Director, School of Tropical Medicine & Global Health (TMGH) Professor, Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) Nagasaki University Nagasaki, Japan Hirotsugu Aiga
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Determinants of utilizations of community-based health check-up services among the elderly: A cross-sectional study in Thimphu, Bhutan |
| Public title | Determinants of utilizations of community-based health check-up services among the elderly: A cross-sectional study in Thimphu, Bhutan |
| Background | Bhutan is undergoing demographic changes, with its elderly population (≥65 years) rising to 5.9% in 2017 from 4.7% in 2005. With 80% of the elderly having at least one chronic disease and 50% having at least two, preventive interventions are crucial. In response, the Ministry of Health (MoH) launched the Integrated Community-Based Screening Program (ICBSP) in 2020, following WHO's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE to identify and manage health conditions including physical and mobility impairments, dementia, depression, arthritis, visual and hearing, oral, fall risk, urinary incontinence, and NCDs. Despite free ICBSP services, the utilization rate was only 47% nationwide and 16.5% in Thimphu in 2021. However, no scientific analysis validates these rates, nor are there studies on the determinants of ICBSP utilization in Bhutan. Understanding the health needs and utilization patterns of Bhutan's elderly is crucial for adapting healthcare systems. Since the ICBSP's launch in 2020, no scientific analysis has estimated its utilization rates. MoH reported a 47% utilization rate in 2021, but this lacks scientific validation. Additionally, no studies have identified determinants of ICBSP utilization. Addressing this gap is essential to understand the challenges and barriers elderly people face in Bhutan. Identifying these determinants will help in modifying interventions to overcome barriers and facilitate use of ICBSP. Furthermore, evidence-based policy recommendations can increase ICBSP utilization among Bhutan's elderly. |
| Objectives | To interpret the determinants of the utilizations of the integrated community-based screening program (ICBSP) among the elderly in Thimphu, Bhutan Specific Objectives • To estimate the ICBSP utilization rate among the elderly in Thimphu, Bhutan • To estimate the ICBSP satisfaction level among the elderly in Thimphu, Bhutan • To identify the determinants of the utilizations of the ICBSP among the elderly in Thimphu • To make evidence-based policy recommendations for increasing the utilizations of ICBSP among the elderly in Thimphu, Bhutan |
| Study Methods | A community-based quantitative cross-sectional study will be employed as the study design. Participants will be randomly selected using stratified two-stage clustered sampling. The selected participants will be interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | The findings of this study will provide critical knowledge into the health needs and service utilization patterns of the elderly people in Thimphu. Evidence-based policy recommendations will also be made to increase ICBSP utilization, thereby improving health outcomes for elderly people and contributing to the development of a more effective healthcare system for Bhutan’s aging population. |
| Keywords | Elders, Integrated community-based screening program(ICBSP), utilization, determinants, satisfactions, community, health screening, Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) |
Research Details
| Student research | Yes |
| Institution: School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Japan | |
| Academic degree: Master | |
| Supervisor of the student(s) | |
| Full Name and title: Professor Hirotsugu Aiga | |
| Email: hirotsugu.aiga@nagasaki-u.ac.jp | |
| Start Date | 20-Nov-2024 |
| End Date | 20-Aug-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Self |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | No |
| Bhutan | |
| Research Domain(s) | Non-communicable diseases & Healthy Lifestyles |
| Research field(s) | Health Care Seeking/Utilization |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Population-Based Survey | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Approved |