The role of sense of community belonging on unmet health care needs in Ontario, Canada: findings from the 2012 Canadian community health survey

Abstract

Aim: This article examines the association between sense of community belonging and unmet health-care needs among individuals in Ontario, Canada, after adjusting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with health-service use. Subjects and methods: This study is based on data from Statistics Canada’s 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey. A sample of 21,257 individuals aged 12 and older was analyzed. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between sense of community belonging and unmet health-care needs. Results: The study found that one in ten individuals reported having unmet health-care needs. Sense of community belonging had a significant independent effect on unmet health-care needs. Respondents with a weak sense of community belonging were 1.27 times more likely to report having unmet health-care needs. Respondents who were younger, were females, had a higher education, or were without a regular doctor were more likely to have unmet health-care needs. Other factors associated with unmet health-care needs included poor physical health, poor mental health, difficulties in carrying out instrumental activities of daily living, and chronic conditions. Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize the need to develop health-care policies and programs that appropriate and meet the needs of individuals with different health-related problems alongside the need to increase sense of community belonging.