Abstract
With the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, the proportion of unmet needs is increasing. In this study, we investigated the effect of practicing health behaviors on unmet needs among patients with chronic diseases, using data from the Korea Health Panel Survey conducted between 2014–2017. Participants (n = 4069) aged 19 or older, with at least one chronic disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or arthrosis) and with existing follow up data were selected. Health behaviors combined three variables: not presently smoking, not belonging to high-risk drinking group, and indulging in moderate- or high-intensity exercise. Those who met all three criteria were classified as the practicing health behaviors group. Generalized Estimating Equation analysis was performed to consider correlated data within a subject. Of the participants, 23.9% practiced health behaviors. Participants who did not practice health behaviors were significantly more likely to have unmet needs compared with those who did (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.10–1.39). Further research would be needed to verify the impact of practicing health behavior on unmet needs.
Highlights
In South Korea, since the community-centered primary care system is insufficient, delivery system in healthcare services is mainly provided by clinics and hospitals [6]
A study identifying the degree of unmet needs for the elderly showed that their rate of unmet needs was higher than that of the entire population, which indicates barriers in the Korean health care system [13]
We found that patients with chronic diseases who did not practice health behaviors tended to experience higher levels of unmet needs compared with those who did
Summary
In South Korea, the prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing because of the growing proportion of the elderly population, poor health behaviors, etc. In South Korea, since the community-centered primary care system is insufficient, delivery system in healthcare services is mainly provided by clinics and hospitals [6]. It is difficult to mitigate the rate of unmet needs because of the increasing elderly population [11]. A study identifying the degree of unmet needs for the elderly showed that their rate of unmet needs was higher than that of the entire population, which indicates barriers in the Korean health care system [13]. According to another study, the more the adults had chronic conditions, the greater they experienced unmet needs [14]. It can be inferred that relieving patients’ symptoms of chronic diseases might mitigate their unmet needs
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