Evaluating access to primary health care among older women and men in Barbados using preventable hospitalization

We evaluated access to primary health care for older women and men in Barbados, a developing country, using a widely accepted access indicator, hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Using 2003-2008 data, we calculated gender-specific total annual population-based rates of these hospitalizations per 1,000 older women and men and individual rates for the six most prevalent conditions. Across the 6 years, these hospitalizations increased 33.6% for women, 30.6% for men (both P < .0001). However, the average rate for diabetes fell 32% for women, 36% for men. Findings suggest an opportunity to improve access to primary health care, particularly for older women.