Profile and disability status among rheumatology clinic patients with osteoarthritis of knees

Abstract

Two structured interviewer administered questionnaire were used for data collection. The health Assessment Questionnaire 8 item disability index was used after modifications in the assessment of disability. Statistical analysis was done using the PSPP package ( open source version of the SPSS package) Univariate analysis was done to describe the study population, treatment seeking behaviour and the treatment related out of pocket expenditure. Bivariate analysis was done to elicit the relationships between the independent and dependent variables. OPP expenses were incurred by 99.5 percent of the total study population whereas a considerable proportion (m 47.0 percent ) Incurred OOP expenses on medicine. Possibility of distributing of health educational reading material among clinic attendees to educate them on the disease and improve compliance; rectification of discrepancy between prescribed drugs and what is available at the hospital pharmacy to minimize OOP expenditure on prescribed medicine, structural modifications at home, work place and public places considering most affected functional categories.