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Journal of Community Health

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08-06-2022 | Original Paper

Factors responsible for healthcare avoidance among rural adults in the Eastern Region of North Carolina

Author: Ashley E. Burch

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 5/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Previous research has identified three common reasons for healthcare avoidance, cost, complexity, and privacy. This study extends prior work by examining the antecedents to these barriers and determining the extent to which they contribute to healthcare avoidance in a rural population.

Methods

A cross-sectional, regional survey of rural residents from Eastern North Carolina was conducted with questions focused on self-perceived health, healthcare utilization, and healthcare avoidance. Bivariate logistic regression was employed to investigate the predictors of cost, complexity, and privacy-related avoidance.

Results

Among 946 respondents, a quarter of the sample (N = 240) had not visited a doctor within the past year. Respondents who were uninsured were almost 6-times more likely to endorse avoiding healthcare due to cost (OR = 5.98) and those who had a chronic illness were 3-times as likely to report cost-related avoidance (OR = 3.01). Complexity-related avoidance was predicted by having a chronic illness (OR = 3.77) and a low perception of healthcare value (OR = 2.80). Lastly, privacy-related avoidance was related to being in fair/poor health (OR = 2.61), having a chronic illness (OR = 2.63), reporting low healthcare value (OR = 2.72), and having an external locus of control (OR = 2.96).

Conclusions

Among avoidant individuals, those with a chronic illness, who could benefit most from continuity of healthcare, are 3-times more likely to avoid healthcare due to cost, complexity, and privacy. The perceived value of healthcare is also associated with complexity- and privacy-related healthcare avoidance. Utilizing alternative methods of healthcare delivery, such as telemedicine and free or reduced cost mobile health clinics, could improve continuity of medical care for rural residents.

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Title: Factors responsible for healthcare avoidance among rural adults in the Eastern Region of North Carolina
Author: Ashley E. Burch
Publication date: 08-06-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Community Health / Issue 5/2022
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-022-01106-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Factors responsible for healthcare avoidance among rural adults in the Eastern Region of North Carolina

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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