title: A Cross-Sectional Study to Examine Factors Associated with Primary Health Care Service Utilization among Older Adults in the Irbid Governorate of Jordan.
abstract: Background. Recently, the percentage of older adults in developing countries has increased significantly. Objective. This study examined patterns and factors associated with primary health care services utilization in the past 1, 6, and 12 months. Method. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 190 older adults in the Irbid governorate of Jordan. Results. Primary health care services were used by less than half of the participants in the past 1 month, by 68.4% in the past 6 months, and by 73.8% in the past 12 months. Primary health care (PHC) services use was associated with age, education level, tobacco use, chronic illnesses, perceived general health status today, a physical component summary score, employment, and perceived general health status in the past 6 and 12 months. The primary predictor of PHC services use at 1, 6, and 12 months was chronic illnesses (OR = 13.32), (OR = 19.63), and (OR = 17.91), respectively. Conclusion. Although many factors were associated with PHC service utilization, the strongest predictor of PHC service utilization was chronic illnesses.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Jerash University, Amman, Irbid International Street, Jerash 26150, Jordan.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkhawaldeh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
authors.forename: Margo B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qaddumi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University, Amman 11942, Jordan.
authors.forename: Wasileh
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Petro
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University, Amman 11942, Jordan.
authors.forename: Madi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaghbir
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Jerash University, Amman, Irbid International Street, Jerash 26150, Jordan.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7614-1729
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Al Omari