title: [Factors related to using health services in Costa Rica].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determining Costa Ricans' behaviour patterns when using health services.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Costa Rican Health Survey was used. Central tendency, dispersion, percentages, frequencies, Ji-Square and Kruskal-Walis test measurements were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Area of residence and income level were the predisposing factors in both out-patient and emergency services whereas educational level was so in terms of hospitalisation service. Health insurance status and the area of residence were the enabling factors associated with using out-patient and hospitalisation services. The need factors associated with outpatient services were the individuals' perceived state of health, having remained in bed at least until noon and suffering some chronic disease; chronic disease was associated with hospitalisation and remaining in bed when using the emergency service.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most variables postulated by Andersen and Newman's model as being determinants for using health services were present in Costa Rica. Nevertheless, the significance of its factors varied between outpatient, hospitalisation and emergency services.
authors.affiliation: Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. amadaaparicio.llanos@gmail.com
authors.forename: Amada A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Llanos
authors.forename: Melvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morera-Salas
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barber-Pérez
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Yanira
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xirinach-Salazar
authors.forename: Juan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Varga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003364:Costa Rica; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult