J Agric Med Community Health.  2020 Dec;45(4):183-193. 10.5393/JAMCH.2020.45.4.183.

Regional Variation of EQ-5D Index and Related Factors in Community Health Survey: Major Role of Psychosocial Factors in Korea

• Kim E
• Nam HS

• KMID: 2511865
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2020.45.4.183

Abstract

Objectives
As an ecological study, this study was performed to identify the community-level variation of health related quality-of-life (HRQOL), and to explore the factors that explain the variation, using 2017 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) data.
Methods
Community health indicators of KCHS, which are correlated with the EQ-5D index of Si-gun-gu districts, were selected as independent variables. Multiple linear regression model was used to derive factors that explain regional variations in the EQ-5D index.
Results
The EQ-5D index variation in 229 districts nationwide was 1.1 times for extremal quotient (EQ) and 1.0 for coefficient of variance (CV). The Si-gun-gu districts with the EQ-5D index in the lower 25% were more distributed in the province (27.7%) than in the metropolitan area (20.3%). As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, the depressed mood experience rate, perceived stress rate, suicide ideation rate, and physician diagnosed arthritis rate were derived as major factors of the variation.
Conclusions
In order to reduce the gap in HRQOL between the districts, the priority of local health policies should be placed on the above factors including psychosocial factors.

Keyword

Health status, Small area variation; Ecologic study; Community health