Assessment of health care utilization in different sociocultural groups living in the Adana city center

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the utilization of health care settings in different sociocultural groups in the city center of Adana, the relationship between sociodemographic parameters and utilization of health care systems and to show the ecology of medical care.Patients and Methods: We enrolled 685 person living in three different sociocultural regions (high, moderate, poor) in Adana city center. The study was conducted from 1 May 2009 to 15 June 2009. Sociodemographic data collection questionnaire, health attitude behavior assessment questionnaire and short form-12 (SF-12) short health scale were completed face-to-face. Data was installed and analyzed with statistical pocket programs.Results: Of 685 individuals 504 (73.6%) were women, 181 (26.4%) were men, the mean age was 36.68±13.89 years (range:18-83). Of individuals, 273 (39.9%) were primary school graduates, 520 (75.9%) were married, 479 (69.9%) had a history of moving to Adana, 577 (84.2%) had social insurance, 368 (53.7%) assessed their socioeconomic status as `moderate?. There was significant relationship between the educational status, social insurance status, socioeconomic status and marital status and MCS-12, a subscale of SF-12. (p<0.05) Age was found to be significantly related to PCS-12 and MCS-12. (p<0.001) The most preferred health care setting was the secondary health care for both acute and chronic health problems. There was a significant relationship between the preferred health care settings and sociodemographic parameters (gender, educational status, age, social insurance, socioeconomic status) (p<0.01) During the last one month, 540 participants (78.8%) reported at least one health problem, 433 (38%) had self-care, 323 (28.4%) admitted to a secondary health care unit, 309 (27.1%) admitted to a primary health care unit and 2 (0.5%) were hospitalized.Conclusion: The utilization of health care settings is influenced by sociodemographic parameters. The most preferred health care setting is the secondary health care. Primary care should be improved and strengthened.Keywords: Health care system utilization, SF-12, medical ecology, primary care