[Characteristics of non-participants in comprehensive health examinations ("Otasha-kenshin") among an urban community dwelling elderly: basic research for prevention of the geriatric syndrome and a bed-ridden state].
OBJECTIVE
The present study was conducted to identify the characteristics of non-participants in secondary comprehensive health examinations among community-dwelling elderly.


METHODS
The subjects were 728 men and 984 women aged 70 years and over who had participated in comprehensive health examinations in 2002. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the characteristics associated with non-participation in comprehensive health examinations after 2 years (in 2004).


RESULTS
The rates of participation in follow-up health examinations were 66.3% for men and 67.3% for women. Logistic regression analysis showed that male non-participants had low cognitive function (odds ratio (OR) = 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-4.49), low education (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.22-2.22), and suffered from health problems (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.27-2.59), and that female non-participants had low cognitive function (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.13-3.59), tended to be smokers (OR = 2.05, 95%, CI = 1.13-3.72), and had no hobby (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50-0.92).


CONCLUSIONS
Poor cognitive function, health problems, and unfavorable lifestyle factors are related to non-participation in comprehensive health examinations.


METHODS
It is necessary to devise various approaches to encourage participation of such individuals.
Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
Yuko
Y
Yoshida
Hajime
H
Iwasa
Jinhee
J
Kwon
Taketo
T
Furuna
Hunkyung
H
Kim
Hideyo
H
Yoshida
Takao
T
Suzuki
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D013577:Syndrome; D014505:Urban Population