Utilization Patterns and Perceptions of Mobile Health Clinics in Batey Libertad, Dominican Republic

Abstract

Mobile health clinics have become a popular means of providing care to low-resource areas in high-, middle- and low-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of mobile clinics as an alternative healthcare model for marginalized populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted on mobile health services in a Dominican agricultural community, Batey Libertad. This study describes the characteristics of the population that had previously utilized mobile health clinics as well as the perceptions of these mobile health clinics. Household surveys were conducted at each of the 173 households in Batey Libertad. The main variables of interest were previous mobile clinic use and patient perceptions, operationalized using ordered opinion-based comparisons. Bivariate analyses were conducted to find significant associations between these outcomes and socioeconomic and demographic variables. Socioeconomic and demographic variables with significant associations were then included in unconditional logistic regression models. Findings suggest that mobile clinics are utilized less by young adults and males. Overall perceptions of mobile health clinics were very positive. Based on these results, mobile health clinics in Batey Libertad should work to expand their outreach to males and young adults. In general, mobile health clinics should evaluate the coverage of their services in the communities they wish to serve. Future studies should seek to both verify these findings and also further evaluate mobile health care as a potential tool in reducing healthcare access inequities.