206678 Gender differences in health care access and use among Cambodian Americans

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Robert Friis, PhD , Department of Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Mohammed R. Forouzesh, MPH, PhD, CHES , Department of Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Alan Safer, PhD , Department of Mathematics and Statistics, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Claire Garrido-Ortega, MPH , Department of Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Che Wankie, MPH , Department of Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Paula Griego, BS , Department of Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Kirsten Trefflich, MPA , Cambodian Association of America, Long Beach, CA
Kimthai Kuoch, MPA , Cambodian Association of America, Long Beach, CA
This study examined the health status and use of health care services by Cambodian Americans in Long Beach, California. A stratified random sample of respondents (n = 680: males = 285, females = 395) was obtained from census tracts with high concentrations of Cambodian Americans. A cross-sectional survey collected data on demographic characteristics, insurance status, and use of health services. The mean age of respondents was 48.6 years and not significantly different between males and females. The percentage of persons who needed to visit a doctor but could not because of cost was 43.0%. The percentage of persons who did not have any kind of health insurance was 19.5% (males = 25.0%, females = 15.4%; p = 0.002). The percentage of persons who reported that they lacked a personal doctor they could visit when ill was 11.7% (males = 16.7%, females = 8.0%; p = 0.001). The percentage of persons who stated they had never visited a doctor for a routine checkup was 5.9% (males = 8.1%, females = 4.3%; p = 0.041). The relationship between gender and access to the foregoing types of health care services was significant. We concluded that more males in comparison with females did not have any kind of health insurance, lacked a personal doctor, and had not visited a doctor for routine checkup.

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify factors associated with the utilization of health care services by Cambodian Americans. 2) Describe barriers and opportunities that could expand health care coverage among Cambodian Americans. 3) Discuss appropriate health care services and programs for Cambodian Americans. 4) Develop educational programs on the benefits of health care services.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Health Insurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a Ph.D. degree and am a research/faculty member. I have written articles on this topic and participated in prior programs.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.