| Keywords |
Unmet health care needs ; Age ; Perceived health status ; EQ_5D |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of unmet health care needs and related factors among Korean adults. Data were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2014). Participants of the study included 6,489 adults who aged 19 and over. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS/ Win 21.0 using complex sample design. Overall, 10.6% of respondents experienced unmet health care needs. Main reasons of unmet health care needs were ‘unavailable when required’(32.9%), ‘tolerable symptom’(25.7%), and ‘economic trouble’(23.3%). In 19-44 age group among respondents, especially, unmet health care needs due to ‘unavailable when required’ and ‘tolerable symptom’ were 58.4% and 54.8%, respectively. The unmet health care needs due to ‘economic trouble’ were 24.5% in 19-44 age group, 35.9% in 45-64 age group and 39.7% in 65 and over age group. The factors affecting the unmet health care needs were sex, age group, low income, unemployed status, poor perceived health status and health-related quality of life(EQ-5Dindex). In conclusion, the prevalence of unmet health care needs was still higher than the unmet needs average of EU28 countries. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor for unmet health care needs and develop health care policy in terms of availability, accessibility, and acceptability. |