Self-Rated Health Status' Influence on Utilization of Clinical Preventive Services

• Main Author: Balogh-Reynolds, Joanna
• Language: EN
• Published: Carlow University 2017
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10605473

<p> Early identification through preventive care screenings has proven to lessen the cost and impact of illness, while reducing premature mortality. Current literature has identified disparities related to access and utilization of preventive care services. The current assumption is that females have a higher likelihood to comply with recommended preventive care screenings than men. A variance identified in gender studies indicated women have a higher usage of preventive care screenings, and a higher use of overall medical services. The objective of this study is to understand if there is a predictive value of self-reported health status that can impact the utilization of preventive care services in women accessing a mammogram voucher program.</p><p> A convenience sample of 40 participants from the Mammogram Voucher Program administered by Adagio Health was surveyed. Using the RAND 36-Item Health Survey, participants&rsquo; self-rated health status was assessed. Demographic data and survey responses were compared with utilization of the mammogram voucher to ascertain if a correlation occurs. The survey results did not indicate, in this sample, that a relationship exists. However, demographic data indicated there is a relative impact on voucher utilization compared to self-perception. Specifically, the education level of the respondents yielded a statistically significant result. Participants with a reported education level of at least 12 years were found to be more likely to utilize a voucher while those with greater than 12 years of education did not. The lack of demonstrated statistical correlations for the self-rated health status questions do not necessarily prove a lack of relationship with utilization of preventative health care, rather suggests that demographics may influence preventive health care utilization more strongly. A larger sample size comparing additional factors will need to be studied.</p><p>