Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to examine gender differences in the self-reported use of health care services by the elderly in rural and metropolitan areas of two Nordic countries with slightly different health care systems: Finland and Norway.MethodsPopulation based, cross-sectional surveys conducted in Nord-Tröndelag Norway (1995–97) and in rural and metropolitan areas of Finland (1997) were employed. In the Norwegian data, a total of 7,919 individuals, aged 65–74 years old were included, and the Finnish data included 1,500 individuals. The outcome variables comprised whether participants had visited a general practitioner or a specialist, or had received hospital care or physiotherapy during the past 12 months. Gender differences in the use of health care services were analysed by multiple logistic regression, controlling for health status and socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsIn Norway, elderly women visited a specialist or were hospitalised less often than men. In Finland, elderly women used all health care services except hospital care more often than men. In Norway, less frequent use of specialist care by women was not associated with self-reported health or chronic diseases.ConclusionThe findings revealed differences in self-reported use of secondary care among different genders in areas of Norway and Finland.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to examine gender differences in the self-reported use of health care services by the elderly in rural and metropolitan areas of two Nordic countries with slightly different health care systems: Finland and Norway
Older people are paradoxically often excluded from studies on health care use, since the need for health care services increases with age
In Finland, there were no differences between the genders concerning self-rated health status
Summary
The aim of the study was to examine gender differences in the self-reported use of health care services by the elderly in rural and metropolitan areas of two Nordic countries with slightly different health care systems: Finland and Norway. In the Andersen-Nyman model [1], the use of health care services is defined as a function that includes three types of explanatory factors: measures of need including selfrated health, and non-health factors that either predispose or enable the individual to obtain care. In this model, the (page number not for citation purposes). Research analysing gender differences in the use of other types of health services is scarce, and this is especially the case in elderly populations. Information on the under use of health care in elderly is important, as good care is likely to improve the quality of life, increase the number of years without functional limitations and diminish existing health differences
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