Exploring patients' experiences and perceived barriers to the utilization of rural comprehensive health centers among individuals living with chronic non-communicable diseases: A qualitative inquiry.

BACKGROUND

Rural Comprehensive Health Centers (RCHCs) constitute a cornerstone of primary healthcare delivery and possess substantial capacity to provide essential services that enhance the health and quality of life of individuals living with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The present study aimed to explore the experiences and perceived of patients with chronic NCDs and identify the perceived barriers influencing their utilization of Rural Comprehensive Health Centers in Fars Province, southern Iran.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

A qualitative study grounded in conventional content analysis was conducted. Data were collected through 25 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with patients diagnosed with chronic conditions. The data were analyzed using the methodological framework proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.

RESULTS

Analysis of the interview data yielded three overarching themes and seven subthemes. The principal themes included Structural and service accessibility barriers (distance, service hours, workforce shortages, and lack of equipment), Trust-related barriers (belief in traditional remedies and self-treatment, and Negative attitude and experiences to the utilization of rural comprehensive health centers (RCHCs)), and Health literacy and illness perception barriers (insufficient knowledge of self-care and disease management, and low perceived severity of illness).

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that access to and utilization of rural comprehensive health services among individuals living with chronic non-communicable diseases are influenced by a combination of organizational, sociocultural, and individual factors. These insights provide valuable guidance for healthcare policymakers and senior administrators seeking to develop effective strategies and targeted interventions to address barriers that hinder the optimal utilization of RCHCs.