Use of annual physical examinations by aging Chinese Canadians.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified predictors of use of annual physical examination by aging Chinese Canadians.


METHODS
Data were collected from a random sample of 2,272 Chinese Canadians aged 55 and older. Based on the Andersen-Newman service utilization framework, hierarchical logistic regression analysis was used to examine the predictors of annual physical examination use.


RESULTS
Predicting factors of annual physical health examination use were marital status, gender, length of residency in Canada, Chinese ethnic identity, social support, number of illnesses, dependency in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings showed importance in targeting identified groups for preventive health education. Strengthened ethnic identity may serve to enhance one's social support network, which in turn facilitates the use of annual physical examinations. There may be awareness within the Chinese cultural network that builds education and attentiveness to preventive health care. The misconceptions about annual physical examinations were also discussed.
Lai
Daniel W L
DW
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N1N4, dlai@ucalgary.ca
Kalyniak
Sonya
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support