Dataset Information

Health Service Utilization in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Cross-sectional Public Survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As health systems across the world respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is rising concern that patients without COVID-19 are not receiving timely emergency care, resulting in avoidable deaths. This study examined patterns of self-reported health service utilization, their socio-demographic determinants and association with avoidable deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods

A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between March 22 and April 1, 2020, during the peak rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong. Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents over 18-years-old were recruited using a computerised random digital dialling (RDD) system. The RDD method used stratified random sampling to ensure a representative sample of the target population by age, gender, and residential district. A structured self-reported questionnaire was used.

Results

Out of 1738 placed calls, 765 subjects responded to the questionnaire (44.0% response rate). The factors associated with avoiding medical consultation included being female (37.2% vs. 22.5%, P<.001), married (32.8% vs. 27%, P=.044), completing tertiary education (35.3% vs. 27.7% (secondary) vs. 14.8% (primary), P=.005), and those who reported a "large/very large" impact of COVID-19 on their mental health (36.1% vs 30.5% (neutral) vs. 19.7% (very small/small), P=.047) using logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

Married females with both higher educational attainment and concern about COVID-19 were associated with avoiding healthcare services. Timely public communication to encourage and promote early health seeking treatment even during extreme events such as pandemics are needed.

SUBMITTER: Hung KK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9309937 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Health Service Utilization in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Cross-sectional Public Survey.

Hung Kevin Kc KK Walline Joseph H JH Chan Emily Ying Yang EYY Huang Zhe Z Lo Eugene Siu Kai ESK Yeoh Eng Kiong EK Graham Colin A CA

International journal of health policy and management 20220401 4

<h4>Background</h4>As health systems across the world respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is rising concern that patients without COVID-19 are not receiving timely emergency care, resulting in avoidable deaths. This study examined patterns of self-reported health service utilization, their socio-demographic determinants and association with avoidable deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between March 22 and Apr ...[more]

PMID: 33105965

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Dataset Information

Health Service Utilization in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Cross-sectional Public Survey.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Health Service Utilization in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Cross-sectional Public Survey.

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