title: Off to the Right Start: Well-Child Visit Attendance Among Health Center Users.
abstract: This study examines correlates of past-year well-child visit attendance, reasons for choosing to receive care at a health center, and patient experience among pediatric federally qualified health center users.
  
  
  
  This observational study used cross-sectional 2009 Health Center Patient Survey data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable models were utilized.
  
  
  
  This study found that 83.0% of children who visited a health center in the past year had a well-child visit in the past year and 88.5% had a usual source of care, with no disparities based on race/ethnicity or insurance status. A usual source of care, especially a health center, enhanced well-child visit attendance. The top reasons for seeking care at a health center include convenience (31.6%), quality (24.5%), accessibility (17.7%), and co-located nonmedical services (11.5%).
  
  
  
  Well-child visit attendance is high but there is room for improvement, particularly among patients who lack a usual source of care.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zur
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elam
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Safety net; disparities; evidence-based practice; general pediatrics; health maintenance and promotion; public health