Predictors of the use of healthcare services in children and adolescents in Spain.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess medium to long term predictors of healthcare services use in a population-based sample of children/adolescents in Spain. METHODS: A sample of children and adolescents aged 8-18 and their parents were evaluated at baseline (2003) and follow-up (2006). Total use of healthcare services and visits to specialist and dentists at the follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-four children/adolescents completed baseline and follow-up assessments (response rate 54 %). 90 % of respondents reported at least one visit during the 12 months previous to the follow-up. Low socioeconomic status (beta coefficient = 0.30; 95 % CI = 0.02-0.57), double healthcare coverage (0.41; 0.17-0.66), parental use of services, poor mental health and activity limitation were associated to the total number of visits. Access to specialist was associated to double healthcare coverage (OR = 1.77; 1.01-3.07) and parental primary level of education (OR = 0.51; 0.32-0.81). Age and low family affluence predicted visits to dentists (OR = 0.38; 0.19-0.73). CONCLUSION: No barriers to healthcare services use were found. Family level of education, family affluence and double healthcare coverage predicted the use of specialists and dentists.