Factors Associated with Unmet Healthcare Needs of the Older Korean Population: The Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017
10.15384/kjhp.2019.19.2.84
- Author:
Chan Hee JEON
1
;
Jeon Won KWAK
;
Min Ho KWAK
;
Jeong Hyeon KIM
;
Yong Soon PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. pyongs@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Assessment of healthcare needs;
Aging;
Weight loss;
KNHANES
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aging;
Body Mass Index;
Comorbidity;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Delivery of Health Care;
Education;
Family Characteristics;
Female;
Humans;
Insurance, Health;
Korea;
Life Style;
Logistic Models;
Needs Assessment;
Nutrition Surveys;
Obesity;
Odds Ratio;
Osteoarthritis;
Prevalence;
Risk Factors;
Walking;
Weight Loss
- From:Korean Journal of Health Promotion
2019;19(2):84-90
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: South Korea has the fastest growing aging population in the world, and older people require more healthcare services. Unmet healthcare needs still exist in Korea due to several complex reasons. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with unmet healthcare needs of the older Korean population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,194 older adults, aged 65 years and older, who participated in the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2017. Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and health status, comorbidity, and unmet healthcare needs were included in this study's analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between unmet healthcare needs and other factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of unmet healthcare needs in this study population was 7.8%. After adjusting for age, sex, education level, household income, living alone, private health insurance, regular walking, body mass index, unintended weight loss, and osteoarthritis, women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.921; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.061–3.479) and unintended weight loss (aOR, 2.218; 95% CI, 1.105–4.453) were more likely to have unmet healthcare needs than their counterparts. The group with general obesity (aOR, 1.691; 95% CI, 1.015–2.816) was more likely to have unmet healthcare needs than the group with normal body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Among the older Korean population, being a woman, general obesity, and unintended weight loss may be risk factors for unmet healthcare needs.
