Prevalence and factors associated with healthcare service use among Chinese elderly with disabilities

Background: Demand for healthcare services among older population is expected to rise, especially among those living with disabilities. This study aims to estimate the prevalence rate and identify the factors associated with healthcare service use among Chinese elderly with disabilities.

Methods: This study employed a nationally representative survey and defined healthcare service utilization as use of curative care, auxiliary aids or rehabilitation services for elderly with disabilities (aged ≥60 years) in China. Population-weighted numbers, proportions and prevalence rates were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odd ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: A weighted total of 45 005 026 Chinese elderly with disabilities were reported. The weighted prevalence rate of healthcare service use was 36.6% (95% CI: 35.6-37.5). Significantly less use of healthcare services was observed among those who were older, males, less educated, singles, rural dwellers, non-eastern residents, with lower annual family income, without medical insurance coverage, without a disability certificate, with a single disability and with less severe disabilities.

Conclusions: Low use of healthcare services indicates an unmet need among Chinese elderly with disabilities especially for the old-old. More effort should be warranted to enhance healthcare service use among the elderly with disabilities.