| RESEARCH BACKGROUNDWith the development of social economy and the extending of people's life expectancy, the aging of the population has become an important public health problem in the world. In 2000, the fifth census in our country showed that 132 million of population in China was over 60 years old, accounting for 10.23% of the total population in our country, demonstrating that China has become an aging society. Thus, how to provide relatively fair basic medical service for the aged, to utilize the limited health resources rationally and effectively, to establish perfect statutes and policies of the health care for the aged, as well as to assure the basic needs of health care for the aged, has already become a necessary study task.RESEARCH OBJECTIVESThrough analyzing the status of health service utilization of the elderly aged 60 or over years and its affecting factors, we can realize their needs and utilization of health service as well as the relative affecting factors, find out the problems existing in the utilization of health service, provide policy and suggestions, meet their need of health service better, and enhance their life quality and health level.RESEARCH METHODSMulti-stage random sampling method was used to obtain sample. First of all, all the townships within each county were divided into three categories: high, middle and low according to the socio-economic development level. And then one township was randomly chosen from each category in each county, three townships were included into the sample in each county. And third, six middle-sized villages were randomly selected from each township. Lastly, 120 households were taken out as the study sample by using mechanic sampling method and inquired by interviewers. In total, 12towns, 72villages and 8600 households were included into the sample. 20409 residents were surveyed, 4056 people of which were over 60 years old.The contents of survey included: 1) general information about sampling household; 2)demographic characteristics on individual; 3)health services needs and uses among aged population.MAIN RESULTS1) Low income and high expenditure, especially for health care in the aged population, was a more prominent problem in rural people compared with urban people.2) The prevalence of health problems in the period of two weeks was significantly higher in the aging people than the average level in general population. Compared with urban people, the health problems in rural people were more prevalent. The common health problems were hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cerebrovascular diseases and so on.3) In both rural and urban areas, most people sought for health care at primary health care institutions. The most common reasons for seeking for health care at these settings for aging people were short distance from home, accepted quality of health care service and lower prices.4) The proportion of aging people who did not seek for health care was high. The main cause was the financial constrains, especially for the people in rural area.5) In despite of chronic diseases, health insurance and income, Engel coefficient and age were the major factors associated with the utilization of health care services.POLICY SUGESTIONSAccording to the results above, the following policies were suggested: 1) Health condition is the prominent problem for aging people. Their needs for health care should be concerned.2) Launch the health education work for the elderly to enhance their health consciousness and to make the elderly healthier gradually.3) Attach importance to aging people's demand of health service, the prevention and curing of chronic disease and putting more priority on prevention.4) Better health care delivery system, which will be suitable for aging people should be explored and implemented in order to meet their needs.5) Setting up a well functioning health care system is the key to solve the health care seeking problems for the people aged over 60 years.
|
PDF Full Text Request