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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Comparison of outpatient health care utilization among returning women and men Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq

Authors: Mona Duggal, Joseph L Goulet, Julie Womack, Kirsha Gordon, Kristin Mattocks, Sally G Haskell, Amy C Justice, Cynthia A Brandt

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

The number of women serving in the United States military increased during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), leading to a subsequent surge in new women Veterans seeking health care services from the Veterans Administration (VA). The objective of this study was to examine gender differences among OEF/OIF Veterans in utilization of VA outpatient health care services.

Methods

Our retrospective cohort consisted of 1,620 OEF/OIF Veterans (240 women and 1380 men) who enrolled for outpatient healthcare at a single VA facility. We collected demographic data and information on military service and VA utilization from VA electronic medical records. To assess gender differences we used two models: use versus nonuse of services (logistic regression) and intensity of use among users (negative binomial regression).

Results

In our sample, women were more likely to be younger, single, and non-white than men. Women were more likely to utilize outpatient care services (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.09, 1.98), but once care was initiated, frequency of visits over time (intensity) did not differ by gender (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.27).

Conclusion

Recently discharged OEF/OIF women Veterans were more likely to seek VA health care than men Veterans. But the intensity of use was similar between women and men VA care users. As more women use VA health care, prospective studies exploring gender differences in types of services utilized, health outcomes, and factors associated with satisfaction will be required.
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of outpatient health care utilization among returning women and men Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq
Authors
Mona Duggal
Joseph L Goulet
Julie Womack
Kirsha Gordon
Kristin Mattocks
Sally G Haskell
Amy C Justice
Cynthia A Brandt
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-10-175

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