Factors Affecting the Need for and Utilization of Medical Care In Urban Areas

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Financial barrier is well known as a determinant of the perceived need for and utilization of medical care in urban areas. This study aims to; a) estimate the levels of the perceived need for and utilization of medical care, b) analyze the reasons for not receiving medical care, and c) determine factors affecting the levels of need and utilization, and major reasons for not receiving medical care. The data of household interview survey in urban areas collected for a National Survey on Reorganization of Nationwide Health Care Delivery Network is used. An interview was conducted with a total of 2, 538 households in urban areas during a 28 day period of October through November, 1981, giving an overall response rate of 99 percent. The results show a factor of third-party payer is most influential to utilization (physician visits by patient), and living standard is a determinant to explain the variance of major reasons for not receiving medical care. Therefore, financial burden is still a major determent in utilization of medical care in urban areas. Improved level of living standard and expanded coverage of the third-party payer such as health insurance and public medical assistance will increase both an overall levels of utilization of and the need for medical care in urban areas in the future. The major statistics are as follows; a) rate of the need for medical care during a 15 day period per 100 persons was 33 percent: the differential rates appeared in sex, age, living standard, and third- party payer variables, b) percent of treatment employed per 100 persons who are wanting medical care was 82: the percents were high in young ages, high levels of living standard and education, and persons covered by third-party payer, and c) economic reasons for not receiving medical care per 100 persons who are wanting medical care were occupied with 60 percent: the rates are high in old ages, low levels of living standard and persons not covered by third-party payer.