Utilization of preventive health check-ups among older people in rural Indonesia
Budi Aji 1, Dian Anandari 1, Siti Masfiah 1, Siwi Pramatama Mars Wijayanti 1, Chalermpol Chamchan 2

1 School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia
2 Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phuthamonthon, Nakhonprathom, Thailand

Abstract

The use of preventive health check-up among older people was driven by health status and socioeconomic factors. This present study identified the determinants of the preventive health check-ups utilization among older people in rural Indonesia. This study had been conducted in the rural areas in the in the district of Banyumas, Central Java, Indonesia. A cross sectional survey had been carried out and a total of 412 older people were selected by using multistage sampling. Logistic regression determined the predictors of preventive health check-ups utilization. The majority of the older people were female (75.5%) with low levels of educational attainments (56.3%). Factors including chronical illnesses and uneducated were associated with preventive health check-ups among older people. Older people with chronic illnesses (p < 0.05, OR = 6.276) were more likely to use preventive health check-ups. Further, uneducated older people (p < 0.05, OR = 12.562) were less likely to use preventive health check-ups in rural areas. Health status becomes a prominent factor that influences health care utilization among the older people. Health interventions targeting identified at-risk subgroup are potential for fulfilling the demand of health care among the older people who live in the community particularly in rural areas. Health promotion for enhancing health literacy among older people would improve the utilization of preventive health check-ups among the older adults.

Keywords: Elderly, preventive care, chronical illnesses, rural area, Indonesia

Topic: Public Health