Chronic pain and pattern of health care utilization among Malaysian elderly population: National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III, 2006)

This study aimed to assess possible differences in health services utilization among people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina, with special reference to NCD multimorbidity. In addition, the relationship between self-perceived health and health care utilization was assessed. Data were retrieved from the 2010 National Health Survey. A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 4,673 persons aged 18 years and older were identified in the households, of which 4,128 were interviewed. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the effects of NCDs on health care utilization in RS. Respondents with NCD multimorbidity more frequently visited family physicians (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34 − 3.19), dentists (OR, 1.57; CI, 1.28 − 1.92), private doctors (OR, 2.14; CI, 1.74 − 2.64), and urgent care departments (OR, 2.30; CI, 1.75 − 3.03) than their counterparts without NCDs. They also had more hospital admissions (OR, 2.03; CI, 1.56 − 2.64). This is the first study to address the relationship between health care utilization and NCDs in the population of RS. Further research is needed to explore how best to organize health care to meet the needs of people in RS with NCDs, especially with NCD multimorbidity.

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Prevalence and Determinants of Pain and Pain-Related Disability in Urban and Rural Settings in Southeastern Ontario

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2006/720895 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 225-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Dean A Tripp ◽

Elizabeth G VanDenKerkhof ◽

Margo McAlister

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Care Utilization ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Pain Interference ◽

Urban Region ◽

Care Utilization ◽

The Past ◽

Pain Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Canadian chronic pain prevalence estimates range from 11% to 66%, are affected by sampling and measurement bias, and largely represent urban settings.OBJECTIVES: To estimate chronic pain prevalence and factors associated with pain in southeastern Ontario, a region with a larger rural than urban residence.METHODS: A systematic sampling with a random start was used to contact households. A telephone-administered questionnaire using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, with questions on health care and medication use, health status, depression and demographics, was administered to consenting adults (18 to 94 years of age; mean age 50.2±16.6 years).RESULTS: The response rate was 49% (1067 of 2167), with 76% reporting some pain over the past six months. Low pain intensity with low pain interference prevalence was 34% (grade I), high pain intensity with low pain interference was 26% (grade II), and high pain intensity with high pain interference was 17% (grades III and IV). Of those reporting pain, 49% reported chronic pain (ie, pain for a minimum of 90 days over the past six months) representing 37% of the sample. Being female, unmarried, lower income, poorer self-reported health status and rural residence were associated with increasing pain. Once depression was considered in this pain analysis, residence was no longer significant. Lower rates of health care utilization were reported by rural residents. In those reporting the highest pain grades, poor health, greater medication and health care use, depression and more pain sites were associated with higher odds for pain-related disability.CONCLUSION: There is an elevated prevalence of pain in this almost equally split rural/urban region. Further examination of health care utilization and depression is suggested in chronic pain prevalence research.

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