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International Journal of Public Health
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 3/2010

01-06-2010 | Brief Report

Education and self-reported health care seeking behaviour in European welfare regimes: results from the European Social Survey

Authors: Kirstin Grosse Frie, Terje Andreas Eikemo, Olaf von dem Knesebeck

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2010

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Abstract

Objectives

This study investigates educational inequalities in the perception of need for seeking health care in 24 European countries belonging to five different welfare regimes (Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, Bismarckian, Eastern and Southern).

Methods

Based on the European Social Survey Round 2 (N = 38,122), associations between years of education and intended doctor consultation in case of four hypothetical symptoms (backache, sore throat, sleeping problems and headache) are analysed by multiple logistic regressions.

Results

People with less years of education tend to be more likely to consult a doctor compared to people with more education years after adjustment for age and gender. Associations are significant in all welfare regimes, except for the Southern.

Conclusion

Educational inequalities in the perception of need for seeking health care can be found in different welfare regimes.
Literature
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Droomers M, Westert GP (2004) Do lower socioeconomic groups use more health services, because they suffer from more illnesses? Eur J Public Health 14:311–313CrossRefPubMed
Eikemo TA, Bambra C (2008) The welfare state: a glossary for public health. J Epidemiol Community Health 62:3–6CrossRefPubMed
Eikemo TA, Huisman M, Bambra C, Kunst A (2008) Health inequalities according to educational level in different welfare regimes: a comparison of 23 European countries. Sociol Health Illn 30:565–582PubMed
Ferrera M (1996) The ‘southern’ model of welfare in social Europe. J Eur Public Policy 6:17–37
Mielck A, Kiess R, Stirbu I, Kunst AE (2007) Educational level and the utilization of specialist care: results from nine European countries. In: Mackenbach JP, Kunst AE, Stirbu I, Roskam A, Schaap M (eds) Tackling health inequalities in Europe: an integrated approach EUROTHINE Report, Rotterdam, pp 456–570
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Metadata
Title
Education and self-reported health care seeking behaviour in European welfare regimes: results from the European Social Survey
Authors
Kirstin Grosse Frie
Terje Andreas Eikemo
Olaf von dem Knesebeck
Publication date
01-06-2010
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0073-3

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