The Finnish Family Competence Study: Fathers of young families as users of health care services

Abstract

Fathers of young families as users of health care services. Randomized cluster sampling and confidential questionnaires. Maternity health care clinics (MHCCs). The first phase of the Finnish Family Competence Study included a total of 1,414 fathers of young families expecting their first baby. Of these, 1,279 responded to the questionnaire, the drop-out rate being 9.5%. The third phase included a total of 1,279 fathers of young families after their first baby's birth. Of these, 1,161 responded to the questionnaire, the drop-out rate now being 9.2%. Basic educational level, age and occupation were used as demographic variables. Socio-economic factors were also studied. The use of health services was examined with questions related to the quality and the frequency of use of these services. The study also dealt with the use of medicines and health food products. The frequency of use of health services was related to the respondent's occupation: industrial and primary production employees were the most frequent users and professionals and services sector employees the least frequent users. So-called soft medicines (vitamins, micronutrients, etc.) were most frequently used by the respondents with the highest level of education. In the use of other medicines no differences occurred between education groups.