Locational and population factors in health care-seeking behavior in Savannah, Georgia.
The use of regular sources of health care by a sample of residents of Chatham County, Georgia was examined through an analysis of the interactions among distance, sociodemographic, locational, and activity-space factors. Health care facilities were concentrated near downtown Savannah. Distance from home to regular source of care was a relatively more important factor for inner-city residents than for suburban or urban fringe residents. There were no clear differences by race, sex, age, occupation, or length of stay at present residence in the relative importance of distance. Strong associations were found between distance-to-care measures and measures of daily-activity spaces. Urban ecological structure appeared to play a more important role in health care-seeking behavior than did the personal characteristics of individuals in this small metropolitan area.
Gesler
W M
WM
Department of Geography, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
Meade
M S
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D004463:Ecology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013383:Suburban Population; D014186:Transportation; D014505:Urban Population