A Cross-Sectional Study to Examine Factors Associated with Primary Health Care Service Utilization among Older Adults in the Irbid Governorate of Jordan

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Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research, Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 735235, 7 pages
Year of Publication: 
2014
Authors: 
Abdullah Alkhawaldeh
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Jerash University, Amman, Irbid International Street, Jerash 26150, Jordan
Margo B. Holm
Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
Jamal Qaddumi
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Wasileh Petro
Current Affiliation: 
4Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University, Amman 11942, Jordan
Madi Jaghbir
Current Affiliation: 
Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University, Amman 11942, Jordan
Omar Al Omari
Current Affiliation: 
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Jerash University, Amman, Irbid International Street, Jerash 26150, Jordan
Preferred Abstract (Original): 
Background. Recently, the percentage of older adults in developing countries has increased significantly. Objective. This study examined patterns and factors associated with primary health care services utilization in the past 1, 6, and 12 months. Method. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 190 older adults in the Irbid governorate of Jordan. Results. Primary health care services were used by less than half of the participants in the past 1 month, by 68.4% in the past 6 months, and by 73.8% in the past 12 months. Primary health care (PHC) services use was associated with age, education level, tobacco use, chronic illnesses, perceived general health status today, a physical component summary score, employment, and perceived general health status in the past 6 and 12 months. The primary predictor of PHC services use at 1, 6, and 12 months was chronic illnesses (), (), and (), respectively. Conclusion. Although many factors were associated with PHC service utilization, the strongest predictor of PHC service utilization was chronic illnesses.
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