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Descriptions of self-treatment for the middle-aged and elderly in Shanxi, China

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  • Rui Wang
  • Chenjin Ma
  • Kun Jiang
  • Ming Li
  • Shuangge Ma

Abstract

Objectives: Self-treatment is a widespread practice among patients with common symptoms and ailments; it is necessary to explore multiple aspects of it. Notably, there is little research into self-treatment among middle-aged and elderly people, who are more likely to fall ill. Our goals are to provide a comprehensive description of self-treatment and explore associated factors with insurance utilization and expenditures among the middle-aged and elderly populations in China. Methods: A survey was conducted in July 2016 in Shanxi, China. A stratified sampling scheme was applied to achieve representativeness. A total of 972 subjects were surveyed. Descriptive statistics, t- and Chi-squared tests, multivariate logistic regression, and multivariate linear regression were utilized. Results: In our study, 772 (79.4%) of the surveyed subjects self-treated during the previous twelve months. Among them, 253 (32.8%) used health insurance. Subjects’ characteristics were associated with insurance utilization and expenditures for self-treatment. Total cost was positively associated with insurance utilization. The subjects with a junior high education (p-value

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Wang & Chenjin Ma & Kun Jiang & Ming Li & Shuangge Ma, 2018. "Descriptions of self-treatment for the middle-aged and elderly in Shanxi, China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0198554
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198554
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.

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