Analysis of disparities in medical check-ups for patients with diabetes and hypertension: associated factors and trends in a nine-year national survey

Introduction: Diabetes and hypertension (HTN) are non-communicable chronic diseases that pose a significant challenge to global public health. However, substantial disparities in the performance of these essential check-ups among diagnosed patients have been identified. Objective: 1) To determine the existing disparities in the check-ups of patients with diabetes and HTN, 2) To observe the trend of these check-ups over the years through a Peruvian national survey. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study using information from Peru’s Demographic and Family Health Survey between 2014 and 2022. The main variables were performance in the last year of ophthalmic, blood pressure, and glucose check-ups. Results: Regarding the prevalence of check-ups in the last year, it was high for ophthalmic examinations (HTN: 65.46%, diabetes: 70.54%), blood pressure measurements (HTN: 81.82%, diabetes: 79.92%), and glucose measurements (HTN: 56.72%, diabetes: 83.76%). In the trend analysis for patients with diabetes, minimal variation was observed between the evaluations from 2014 to 2019, with a notable decrease in 2020 and 2021, particularly in ophthalmic check-ups, followed by a recovery in 2022. The most consistent determinants of check-up performance across both conditions were older age (≥60 years), higher educational level, higher socioeconomic status, and having health insurance. Female sex was associated with higher check-up rates in patients with HTN. Geographic and ethnic disparities were also observed, with urban residents and certain ethnic groups showing different check-up patterns. Conclusions: This study has revealed significant disparities in the performance of essential health check-ups among Peruvian patients with diabetes and HTN, showing that various determinants play a crucial role in the frequency of these check-ups.