title: Utilization of medical services by single-parent and two-parent families.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of family structure on the utilization of health care services. Data from the Family Health Utilization Survey, a six-month prospective study, showed that when confounders were controlled using a multiple regression model, being in a single-parent family was predictive of a statistically significant increase in overall utilization of ambulatory health care services. There were no differences between single-parent and two-parent families in rates of hospitalization or emergency room visits. There was a trend toward a higher rate for obtaining telephone advice by the single-parent families and a higher rate of after-hours care among the two-parent families. Single-parent families were also more likely to feel they needed care but did not obtain it. Differences that exist in the health care utilization patterns of single- and two-parent families should be considered in assessing health care needs of families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78204.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Moreno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008923:Missouri; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015406:Single Parent; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires