To assess determinants of health care utilization among the elderly population in Jimma town, Oromia region, southwest Ethiopia, 2012.
A community-based cross-sectional study on 422 residents was conducted in Jimma town, from November 1-8, 2012. Respondents were identified using multistage sampling methods. Data was collected using face to face interviewer. The data was entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Logistic regression analysis was carried out and all variables with p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were candidates for multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify a variable which has a significant association.
Among a total of 422 study subjects planned 417 gave their complete responses. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents have utilized a modern health care facility in the last three years. General checkup - 43.2% and hospital admission & treatment - 20.8% were the major reason for the visit to the health care facility. The burden of illness (95% CI of 8.00-50.00) and Physical and mental health status (95% CI of 8.1-25.5) are the main determinants of health service utilization among elderly in Jimma town.
Burden of illness Physical and mental health status are the major the main determinants of health service utilization among elderly in Jimma town.