J Agric Med Community Health.  2024 Sep;49(3):205-215. 10.5393/JAMCH.2024.49.3.205.

The Relationship between Access to Usual Source of Care and Health Literacy: A Comparison between Urban and Rural Areas

• Cho S

• KMID: 2562737
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2024.49.3.205

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to estimate the impact of having and the type of usual source of care on the health literacy of rural residents.
Methods
Using data from the 2021 Korea Health Panel Survey, the regression model was estimated, in which the presence and type of usual source of care, categorized as medical institutions and primary care physicians, were incorporated as explanatory variables. The level of health literacy was used as the dependent variable. Additionally, statistical analysis was conducted to compare how socio-demographic backgrounds and the presence and type of usual source of care are associated with health literacy between urban and rural residents.
Results
The effect of usual source of care on the level of health literacy was significant only when the service provider was the public health institution. However, this effect was smaller for rural residents than for urban residents. When the usual source of care was an internal medicine or Korean traditional medicine doctor, the level of health literacy increased than the other types of doctor.
Conclusion
To improve rural residents’ health literacy, it is necessary to enhance access to public health care service and provide education programs.

Keyword

Health literacy; Usual source of care; Rural residents; Korea Health Panel Survey