This study examined the helath examination utilization among the elderly 65 and older and it?s determinants at both micro and macro level of analysis. The data were derived from the 2002 survey of knowledge about, attitude toward, and practice of health promotion in Taiwan.
The analytical results show that the elderly with senior high?lower income?good dietary habits?regular exercise?living in rural area?or susceptibility to dyslipidemia are more likely to take the health examination at the individual level. Howerer, at the macro level, the elderly living in the county with lesser degree of urbanization or lower level of income are more likely to take the health examination.
Since many of elderly with cardiovascular disease and living in rural area take advantage of the health station for their medical care, it is somewhat suggested that the rural elderly are more likely to be advised by the health professional at the health station to have a free annual health examination. To narrow the gap in the performance of the health examination between urban and rural area, it is also suggested that urban hospital or clinic should encourage the patients with cardiovascular disease to take the annual health examination with the aid of nurse medical doctors.
