Factors Associated with Utilization of Market-Based Health Outposts for Hypertension-Related Services in Vihiga County, Western Kenya

Background: Hypertension is a leading global risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature mortality, with the greatest burden occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, limited access to screening, follow-up, and treatment contributes to poor awareness and blood pressure control. Market-based health outposts have been introduced to improve access to hypertension screening, health education, and referral services, but evidence on their utilization remains limited. This study examined socioeconomic, hypertension knowledge and accessibility factors associated with the utilization of market-based health outposts among adults in Sabatia Sub-County.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 382 adults aged 18 years and above in Sabatia Sub-County, Vihiga County, Kenya. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression in Stata version 19Now.
Results: 220 respondents (57.6%) had utilized market-based health outposts. Utilization was significantly associated with different socio-economic factors, physical accessibility factors and hypertension knowledge factors. In the adjusted analysis, participants aged 18–34 years had higher odds of non-utilization than those aged ≥55 years (aOR = 4.09; 95% CI: 1.76–9.49; p = 0.001). Uninsured participants also had higher odds of non-utilization than insured participants (aOR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.21–3.52; p = 0.008), as did those living ≥3 km from an outpost compared with those living 1–3 km away (aOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.17–4.86; p = 0.017). However, participants with college education, those in the richest wealth index category, adequate knowledge of hypertension and those who walked to the health outposts had lower odds of non-utilization.
Conclusion: Market-based health outposts may extend hypertension screening and health education within rural communities. Utilization was associated with socioeconomic characteristics, hypertension knowledge and geographical accessibility.

Health outposts; community health; healthcare utilization; non-communicable diseases

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