Factors associated with health services utilization by the general population in the center of Kayseri, Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies have revealed the social, economic, and psychological factors that influence consulting behaviour; however the health services utilization by the general population are seldomly studied. The aim of this study was to examine the level of health services utilization and the effects of predisposing, enabling, and need factors on Turkish general population. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on seven public health centers (PHCs) which were selected among 21 PHCs in the center of Kayseri between 2005 and 2006. The study population was comprised of 1880 household members who were selected by a stratified random sampling method. Household members were interviewed with a face-to-face method in their homes by means of a questionnaire. Predictors of health services utilization included predisposing, enabling, and need factors. The quantitative variables were summarized as means ± standard deviations. Comparisons made among the groups were performed using independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to model the effects of predictor-factors specified in the Andersen Model of health services utilization. Results: In the last year, rate of health services utilization was 79.6% and the mean visit number was 5.0 ± 5.4. The rate of applications to the state hospitals was higher (49.9%) than those of private medical institutions (13.2%). Predisposing factors: Being married 4.9 times, being male 1.9 times; enabling factors: Absence of social insurance coverage 2.2 times, sufficient monthly income 2.4 times and closeness (< 500 meters) 1.7 times; need factors: Poor perception health 1.7 times and presence of chronic disease 2.5 times, have a higher probability of using the health services. Conclusion: Being married, having a good family income and chronic disease were the most important predictors on utilization of health services. Having poor perceived health was also more closely associated with health services utilization. © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.