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Health seeking behavior of elders in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka: Descriptive cross sectional study

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dc.contributor.author Arulanandem, K.
dc.contributor.author Jayawickramarajah, P.T.
dc.contributor.author Ramanayake, R.P.J.C.
dc.contributor.author Hettige, S.
dc.contributor.author Kisokanth, G.
dc.date.accessioned 2016-05-02T09:38:29Z
dc.date.available 2016-05-02T09:38:29Z
dc.date.issued 2016
dc.identifier.citation Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary International Scientific Conference. Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya; 2016: 95 en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/12848
dc.description Free paper session 3: Health care delivery and usage OP 14 - 25th Anniversary International Scientific Conference, 6-8 April 2016, Faculty of Medicine,University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka en_US
dc.description.abstract BACKGROUND: Global population of elderly would increase by 15% in year 2025. The change in age structure affects the society in social, cultural and economic aspects of life. The provision of health care to elderly varies across most of the developing countries. Health care is an important issue for ageing population and living with chronic illnesses become a challenge. Health care services are essential for the population it serves. The health seeking behavior of elders depends on the availability of services, health problems and socio economic status. OBJECTIVE: To describe the health seeking behavior of elders in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in Batticaloa district on a sample of 845 elders selected by simple random sampling method. Interviewer administrated questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: Study population consisted of 78% of elders in young old category of whom 57% were females. Most (93%) attended outpatient departments of government hospitals and 8%, general practitioners as their first contact care for acute illnesses. 48% attended clinics for chronic illnesses at government hospitals. Approximately half of them used public transport to access the health facility. 50% of their health expenditure was managed by their children. Frequency of health seeking behavior for acute illness was higher among females and the difference between the two sexes was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: First contact care for acute and chronic disease conditions for more than 90% of elders in Batticaloa district was government hospitals. en_US
dc.language.iso en_US en_US
dc.publisher Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka en_US
dc.subject Health seeking behavior en_US
dc.title Health seeking behavior of elders in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka: Descriptive cross sectional study en_US
dc.type Conference Abstract en_US


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