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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

M. Anwarul Huq Mian, MBBS, MPH, School of Health Related Professions, Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WEBB 616, 1530 3rd AVE S, Birmingham, AL 35294-3361, (205) 934-3113, mahmian@yahoo.com, Shannon Houser, PhD, Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Webb 510, 1530 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294, Mustafa O. Mohd, MD, MPH, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB 217C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, and Howard Houser, PhD, Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Webb 568, 1530 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294.

Background: Regular routine primary care (PC) check-ups could lead to early detection and control of many chronic diseases that have the potential to develop adverse effects in late age and also cause premature death. PC is intended to address early detection of disease. There is little evidence if PC visits have any favorable outcome for stroke incidence.

Objective: To examine the relationship between PC utilization and a reduction in the incidence of stroke and to develop strategies for qualitative health services delivery in the US.

Method: Data from a longitudinal study with 43,795 participants age 35 and older from the Household component of Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys during 1996 through 2002. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to examine the association between PC visits and stroke incidence.

Results: The PC utilization was negatively associated with incidence of stroke after controlling for age, sex, race, region, insurance status, and stroke-risk-diseases (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.48, P<0.01). People age 65 years and older with at least one PC visit per year were 19 times more likely to have stroke than the 35-44 age group (P<0.001). Individuals having at least one stroke-risk-disease were 5 times more likely to have stroke (P<0.001) than having none of those diseases.

Conclusion: At least one PC visit per year may lead to a reduction in the incidence of stroke. This finding could help in developing an evidence-based comprehensive prevention strategic plan for primary healthcare delivery in the US.

Learning Objectives: