Hsing-Yi Chang¹, Nan-Shen Chen¹, Wen-Shen Isabella Chung¹, Yaw-Tang Shih¹, Sheng-Tsung Yu¹, and Yi-Li Chuang². (1) Division of Health Policy Research, National Health Research Institutes, 2F, 109, Min-Chuan East Road, Section 6, Taipei, 114, Taiwan, 886-2-2653-4401 ext. 6679, hsingyi@nhri.org.tw, (2) Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Center for Population and Health Survey, 5F, #503, Li-Ming Road, Section 2, Taichung, Taiwan

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of self-perceived mental health and other factors on the utilization of heath care system using a national survey data. Data: Data came from the metal health domain of SF-36, collected in 2001 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey and linked with the within 1 year Nation Health Insurance (NHI) records, which has been implemented since March of 1995. Results: There were 6,455 males and 6,525 females 20 years old or above, who provided valid answers to the mental health questions in SF-36, and also signed the consent form allowing us to link their NHI data. Using the average score as the cut-off point, we found that males (OR=1.47; 95% CI, 1.37-1.57), married (OR=1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.25), working (OR=1.45; 95% CI, 1.25-1.67), and no problem in ADL (OR=3.14; 95% CI, 2.31-4.28) scored better than average, middle age (45-64 years) scored worse. Those who self-perceived better mental health were less likely to visit the clinics (OR=0.82, CI=0.72, 0.93) than the worse ones controlling for location, family income, sex, education, marital status, self-perceived health, preference of medical care, and health behaviors. Other factors associated with ever-use of clinics within 1 year were family income over 30,000 NT per month, females, married, self-perceived health as poor, convenience of health care, non-smokers, exercise and weight control. In terms of hospitalization or emergency visits, it was not significantly different between the better mental health and the worse.

Learning Objectives:

• Describing the association between self-perceived mental health and health care utilization.
• Identifying other factors associated with health care utilization under the National Health Insurance program. 3.Providing information in designing education programs for adequate attitude in using the resource of National Health Insurance

Keywords: Health Care Utilization, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee