Focus on vulnerable populations and promoting equity in health service utilization - An analysis of visitor characteristics and service utilization of the Chinese community health service

26Citations
Citations of this article
47Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Background: Community health service in China is designed to provide a convenient and affordable primary health service for the city residents, and to promote health equity. Based on data from a large national study of 35 cities across China, we examined the characteristics of the patients and the utilization of community health institutions (CHIs), and assessed the role of community health service in promoting equity in health service utilization for community residents. Methods. Multistage sampling method was applied to select 35 cities in China. Four CHIs were randomly chosen in every district of the 35 cities. A total of 88,482 visitors to the selected CHIs were investigated by using intercept survey method at the exit of the CHIs in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Descriptive analyses were used to analyze the main characteristics (gender, age, and income) of the CHI visitors, and the results were compared with that from the National Health Services Survey (NHSS, including CHIs and higher levels of hospitals). We also analyzed the service utilization and the satisfactions of the CHI visitors. Results: The proportions of the children (2.4%) and the elderly (about 22.7%) were lower in our survey than those in NHSS (9.8% and 38.8% respectively). The proportion of the low-income group (26.4%) was apparently higher than that in NHSS (12.5%). The children group had the lowest satisfaction with the CHIs than other age groups. The satisfaction of the low-income visitors was slightly higher than that of the higher-income visitors. The utilization rate of public health services was low in CHIs. Conclusions: The CHIs in China appears to fulfill the public health target of uptake by vulnerable populations, and may play an important role in promoting equity in health service utilization. However, services for children and the elderly should be strengthened. © 2014 Dong et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

References Powered by Scopus

Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health

2712Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The contribution of primary care systems to health outcomes within Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, 1970-1998

736Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Randomised trial of impact of model of integrated care and case management for older people living in the community

378Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Factors influencing choice of health system access level in China: A systematic review

73Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Patient Choice of Health Care Providers in China: Primary Care Facilities versus Hospitals

41Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The length and content of general practice consultation in two urban districts of Beijing: A preliminary observation study

32Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Dong, X., Liu, L., Cao, S., Yang, H., Song, F., Yang, C., … Lu, Z. (2014). Focus on vulnerable populations and promoting equity in health service utilization - An analysis of visitor characteristics and service utilization of the Chinese community health service. BMC Public Health, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-503

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 16

55%

Researcher 7

24%

Lecturer / Post doc 5

17%

Professor / Associate Prof. 1

3%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 10

43%

Nursing and Health Professions 7

30%

Social Sciences 3

13%

Psychology 3

13%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free