J Korean Community Nurs.  2001 Dec;12(3):589-599.

A Study on Health Service Utilization for the Low Income Elderly in Korea

• Im MY
• Ryu HS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relation amongst health status, health care costs, health service utilization among the low income elderly who were 60 years of age or older, earning a half of the average Korean family income. The cross-sectional descriptive survey research we conducted used families randomly sampled nationwide. The data were collected from July 12 to August 7, 1999 and the total sample was 1,259 household members (421 households). These were the major findings. 1. As for the health status, 72.4% of respondents fell ill in the last 1 month; 54% of respondents had chronic disease. 2. As for the health care cost, the cost of hospitalization and the medical treatment were 1,069,000 won and 226,000won, respectively. 59.3% of respondents experienced a burden from the monthly health care expenses. 3. As for the health service utilization for the last 3months, 28.5% of respondents didn't utilize the health service. In addition, 22.2% of respondents gave up a medical treatment because of economic situation (88.8%). 4. The statistically significant determinants of health service utilization are old age, female, living with a spouse, unemployed state, medicare, and more days sick. 5. It is shown conclusively that equity and efficacy of the health care policy are to be considered for lower income older adult.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged*
Chronic Disease
Surveys and Questionnaires
Delivery of Health Care
Family Characteristics
Female
Health Care Costs
Health Services*
Hospitalization
Humans
Korea
Medicare
Spouses