Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2017 Oct;8(5):295-301. 10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.5.02.

Regional Disparity and Factors Influencing Unmet Medical Needs: A Study Based on the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015)

• Lim JH

• KMID: 2395838
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.5.02

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine regional differences and the factors that affect unmet medical needs.
METHODS
Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015) were used, and 4,946 health survey participants who provided responses on medical utilization and health behavior were included in the study.
RESULTS
A statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence rate of unmet medical needs in terms of region. The independent variables that affected unmet medical needs were sex, age, education, region, household income, insurance type, smoking status, self-reported health status, and stress awareness. Gender (female), lower education level, rural residents, lowest household income, poor self-reported health status, and stress awareness increased the probability of unmet medical needs.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggested that different policies and approaches should be considered for each population that is at risk to address the primary cause of the unmet medical needs. Further studies that include medical expenses and the relevant variables of an area should be conducted in the future.

Keyword

Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; medical need; region

MeSH Terms

Education
Family Characteristics
Health Behavior
Health Surveys
Incidence
Insurance
Korea*
Nutrition Surveys*
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke