Gender differences in health care use among the elderly population in areas of Norway and Finland. A cross-sectional analysis based on the HUNT study and the FINRISK Senior Survey.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to examine gender differences in the self-reported use of health care services by the elderly in rural and metropolitan areas of two Nordic countries with slightly different health care systems: Finland and Norway.


METHODS
Population based, cross-sectional surveys conducted in Nord-Tröndelag Norway (1995-97) and in rural and metropolitan areas of Finland (1997) were employed. In the Norwegian data, a total of 7,919 individuals, aged 65-74 years old were included, and the Finnish data included 1,500 individuals. The outcome variables comprised whether participants had visited a general practitioner or a specialist, or had received hospital care or physiotherapy during the past 12 months. Gender differences in the use of health care services were analysed by multiple logistic regression, controlling for health status and socio-demographic characteristics.


RESULTS
In Norway, elderly women visited a specialist or were hospitalised less often than men. In Finland, elderly women used all health care services except hospital care more often than men. In Norway, less frequent use of specialist care by women was not associated with self-reported health or chronic diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings revealed differences in self-reported use of secondary care among different genders in areas of Norway and Finland.
Suominen-Taipale
Anna Liisa
AL
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. liisa.suominen-taipale@ktl.fi
Martelin
Tuija
T
Koskinen
Seppo
S
Holmen
Jostein
J
Johnsen
Roar
R
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors