Non-communicable diseases units: Continuity of care factors

Aim: Continuity of care in healthcare systems is one of the success measures for improvement of health across communities, especially due to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the current century. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the continuity of care in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) units. Subject and method: A total of 418 patients from NCD prevention and control units at the Southern Tehran Healthcare Center were selected through systematic random sampling, of whom 189 were contacted successfully and interviewed about their satisfaction with the services received and distance from their place of residence to the health center. Results: About two-thirds of the participants were women. Nearly half of the service receivers were illiterate and educated to elementary level, and only 6 % had a high school diploma or higher. 94% were satisfied with the services provided. There was a positive linear correlation between the number of visits and the number of contacts during the period of observation (r = 0.53, P value < 0.001). Also, the length of patient follow-up by the health center and the number of visits during follow-up for patients with active records were significantly more than for those with inactive records (P value < 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that satisfaction with services alone was not a principal factor affecting continuity of care. Indeed, we conclude that free screening care should be designed for men, the employed, and educated people. More studies are needed to find out the reasons for non-attendance and the provision of solutions to reduce existing deficiencies.