Health services utilization among the Thai elderly : findings from the Kanchanaburi project demographic surveillance survey

Abstract

Despite being provided with virtually free health services in government facilities, some elderly seek their needed health services from other sources. These sources include private clinics or hospitals, traditional healers or drugstores. This study looked into the levels and patterns of health service utilization among the Thai elderly. The main objectives of this study were (1) to identify the levels and patterns of health services utilization of the elderly and (2) to examine the association between their characteristics and their use of the health services. This study tested the hypothesis that the differences in predisposing, enabling and need characteristics of the elderly would result in varying levels and patterns of health services utilization. The secondary data of the baseline Demographic Surveillance Survey (DSS) of the Kanchanaburi Project from 2000 were used in this study. A census of all households and individuals aged 15 and above was conducted in the project site. The elderly, aged 60 and above and those who were sick in the past year prior to the conduct of the survey comprised the unit of analysis. Descriptive analysis, mainly by percentage, was employed. Initially, univariate analysis was done by using frequency distribution. To determine the patterns of health services utilization in details, a bivariate analysis of the association between the characteristics of the elderly and their health services utilization was made through cross tabulation. The results showed that there were varying levels and patterns of health services utilization among the elderly. Most of the elderly relied on self-treatment with over-the-counter drugs. Government facilities were utilized more than the private ones. More male than female elderly utilized health services. There was a negative association between the use of health services and the rising age of the elderly. More married than unmarried elderly utilized health services. Health services were more utilized by less educated than more educated elderly. Elde