title: Evaluating access to primary health care among older women and men in Barbados using preventable hospitalization.
abstract: We evaluated access to primary health care for older women and men in Barbados, a developing country, using a widely accepted access indicator, hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Using 2003-2008 data, we calculated gender-specific total annual population-based rates of these hospitalizations per 1,000 older women and men and individual rates for the six most prevalent conditions. Across the 6 years, these hospitalizations increased 33.6% for women, 30.6% for men (both P < .0001). However, the average rate for diabetes fell 32% for women, 36% for men. Findings suggest an opportunity to improve access to primary health care, particularly for older women.
authors: a Department of Management, School of Business and Economics , Fayetteville State University , Fayetteville , NC.
authors: Jennifer H
authors: JH
authors: Bushelle-Edghill
authors: James N
authors: JN
authors: Laditka
authors: Sarah B
authors: SB
authors: Laditka
authors: Larissa R
authors: LR
authors: Brunner Huber
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001460:Barbados; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution
keywords: aging; ambulatory care sensitive conditions; preventable hospitalization; primary health care; public health; women