Factors predicting the use of health exam in the elderly in Taiwan

Background and objectives

Routine health exam is an important strategy for health promotion and disease prevention. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with the use of health exam in old Taiwanese people.

Methods

Data were from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey in Taiwan. A total of 2482 individuals aged 65 or older were included in this study. The data was analyzed based on the Andersen model in which all potential factors were allocated into four main groups (predisposing, need, enabling, and health-related). The dependent variable was the use of health exam. Chi-square test and hierarchical multiple logistic regression model were applied to identify the predicting factors.

Results

Nearly half of the old people (46.8%) had ever used the health exam. The final model showed that the nonusers tended to have the following characteristics: seeking alternative medicine, being single, current smokers, of Fukien origin, younger age, lower educational level, with cognitive impairment, hypertension, bodily pain, sedentary lifestyle, and physical limitations.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that the health exam in the elderly in Taiwan was under-utilized. We found that the use of health exam is determined by different health, demographic, and social factors. Information on the characteristics associated with the use of health exam may be further used to identify and help those who do not use this service.