Determinants of Health Service Utilization among Older Adults in Bedele Town, Illubabor Zone, Ethiopia

Background: In any country use of health services by elderly could vary according to the cultural, social, economic and demographic situation of the person who may need care. In certain contexts, it particularly varies with age and sex of the potential service user. However, studies that document on health service utilization among elderly population are generally scarce in Ethiopia and particularly, in the study area. Objective: This study aimed to assess utilization of health services and associated factors among population of older adults. Methods: A community based cross sectional study carried on 284 elderly populations residing in Bedele Town from February-March 2013 by using a structured questioner interview by four trained high school students through simple random sampling technique in all kebeles of the Town. Data were entered into epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS for windows program version 16. Odds ratio and 95% CI were calculated and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: 49.6% of the study participants reported to have utilized health care services in the last 1 year. From 284 respondents reporting poor, moderate and good health status were 66.9%, 25.7% and 7.4% respectively. In multivariable logistic regression model, age group [AOR = 1.127, 95% CI1.047, 1.521], education [AOR = 1.260, 95% CI 1.005, 1.579], identified medical history [AOR = 1.737, 95% CI1.425, 2.562], who had reported enough money to meet their need [AOR = 1.587; 95% CI1.236, 2.037] and distance from health service were identified as determinants of health service utilization. Conclusions and Recommendations: Age, Income, education, medical history of at least one chronic condition and poor perceived health status were determinants of health service utilization. This helps health policy makers and health service providers identify and understand the situation of the elderly and consequently create conducive environment for providing appropriate health services.