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Loneliness and Health Service Utilization among the Rural Elderly in Shandong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jiao Zhang

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Lingzhong Xu

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Jiajia Li

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Long Sun

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Gan Ding

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Wenzhe Qin

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Qian Wang

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Jing Zhu

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Zihang Yu

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Su Xie

    (School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of loneliness and to explore the association between loneliness and health service utilization among the rural elderly in Shandong Province, China. Methods: A total of 5514 rural people aged 60 and above from Shandong Province, China, were enrolled in this study. Loneliness was used as a binary variable based on a single-item question. Health service utilization was measured by recent two-week physician visits and annual hospitalizations rates. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between loneliness and health service utilization. Results: The prevalence of loneliness among the rural elderly in Shandong, China, was 25.0%. Loneliness was associated with higher rates of recent two-week physician visits (OR = 1.260, p < 0.01) and annual hospitalizations (OR = 1.183, p < 0.05). The regression results also showed that self-rated health status and chronic conditions were significant and positively associated with both physician visits and hospitalizations rates. Conclusions: Loneliness had a significant association with higher odds of health service utilization among the elderly. The independent contribution of loneliness on health service utilization was smaller than self-rated health status and chronic conditions. Thus, healthcare policies need to shift from an emphasis on controlling health utilization and cost to a greater focus on enabling lonely older people to get more social support.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiao Zhang & Lingzhong Xu & Jiajia Li & Long Sun & Gan Ding & Wenzhe Qin & Qian Wang & Jing Zhu & Zihang Yu & Su Xie, 2018. "Loneliness and Health Service Utilization among the Rural Elderly in Shandong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:7:p:1468-:d:157492
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ye Luo & Linda J. Waite, 2014. "Loneliness and Mortality Among Older Adults in China," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 69(4), pages 633-645.
    2. Gerst-Emerson, K. & Jayawardhana, J., 2015. "Loneliness as a public health issue: The impact of loneliness on health care utilization among older adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(5), pages 1013-1019.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiang Jing & Lingzhong Xu & Wenzhe Qin & Jiao Zhang & Lu Lu & Yali Wang & Yu Xia & An’an Jiao & Yaozu Li, 2020. "The Willingness for Downward Referral and Its Influencing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study among Older Adults in Shandong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Yushan Hou & Chang Cai & Houlin Tang & Yichen Jin & Fangfang Chen & Dandan Niu & Fan Lv, 2023. "Sexual Behavior and Perceived Loneliness in Elderly People Living with HIV in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-8, February.
    3. Zhaorong Gao & Lingzhong Xu & Wenzhe Qin & Jiao Zhang & Jinling Zhou & Fangfang Hu & Zhuang Hong, 2020. "Prevalence and Associated Factors of Self-Treatment among the Elderly—A Comparative Study between Empty and Non-Empty Nesters in Shandong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Jiahao Song & Haitao Wu & Hongxing Lan & Dingde Xu & Wei Wang, 2022. "The Influence of Disease Status on Loneliness of the Elderly: Evidence from Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Yali Wang & Lingzhong Xu & Wenzhe Qin & Jiao Zhang & Yu Xia & Xiang Jing & Lu Lu & An’an Jiao & Yaozu Li, 2019. "Gender Difference in General Self-Efficacy among Young-Old Elderly Aged 60–74 in Rural Shandong China: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-12, December.

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