1. Factors Associated With First-Time Use of Preventive Services in the United States.
- Author
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Gai, Yunwei and Feng, Li
- Subjects
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PREVENTIVE medicine , *MEDICAL screening , *BLOOD pressure , *BREAST exams , *MAMMOGRAMS , *CHOLESTEROL , *COLONOSCOPY , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *EPIDEMIOLOGY , *HELP-seeking behavior , *MATHEMATICAL models , *MEDICAL care use , *MULTIVARIATE analysis , *PAP test , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *THEORY , *DATA analysis , *DATA analysis software - Abstract
Objective: To examine factors associated with first-time use of preventive services based on the Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Methods: Nine panels of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were merged to identify first-time users of 8 preventive services: blood pressure check, cholesterol screening, colonoscopy, flu vaccination, routine physical, Pap smear, mammogram, and clinical breast examination. Multivariate logistic regressions and sample weights were used. Results: Insurance coverage, access to care, and racial/ethnic minorities are associated with higher odds of first-time use. Findings based on cross-sectional data may not be valid for first-time use. Conclusions: Increased insurance coverage, better access to care, and a focus on minority population can help nonusers of preventive care to make the transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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