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COVID-19 and Unmet Medical Needs for People With Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study
HyunWoo Jung1, Xianhua Che2, Hee-Jung Park3
1Department of Health Administration, Yonsei University, Wonju, South Korea.
Insights
Unmet medical needs (UMN) were prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among women and those with lower education. Chronic conditions like hypertension and depression increased UMN likelihood, highlighting the need for targeted health services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Gaps in healthcare access, defined as unmet medical needs (UMN), were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Prior research on UMN during COVID-19 often overlooked crucial factors like insurance type and chronic disease status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing self-reported unmet medical needs (UMN) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Daejeon, South Korea.
- Specifically examining the roles of medical insurance and chronic disease prevalence in UMN.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing 2020 Daejeon Metropolitan City Health Surveys data.
- Analysis of 1494 participants aged 18+ using weighted prevalence estimation, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression models.
- Assessment of associations between UMN and participant characteristics, including demographics, insurance, and chronic conditions.
Main Results:
- The weighted prevalence of UMN was 6.4% (97 participants).
- Female sex and lower educational attainment were significantly associated with higher UMN rates.
- Medical aid beneficiaries reported fewer UMN compared to those with National Health Programs coverage.
- Chronic conditions (hypertension, arthritis, depression) were linked to increased UMN likelihood.
Conclusions:
- Targeted interventions are crucial to reduce UMN during pandemics, especially for vulnerable groups like women and individuals with low education.
- Enhanced support and enabling services are necessary for managing chronic conditions and mitigating UMN in high-risk populations.
Abstract:
Gaps between medical needs and health services accessibility are defined as unmet medical needs (UMN). Previous studies assessing UMNs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic did not account for factors such as the type of medical insurance or chronic disease. Therefore, this study investigated various factors, including medical insurance and chronic diseases, affecting self-reported UMN during the pandemic in Daejeon Metropolitan City, South Korea. This cross-sectional study was conducted using Daejeon Metropolitan City Health Surveys data from 2020. The weighted prevalence of UMN was estimated among participants (n = 1494) aged ≥18 years, while chi-squared and logistic models were used to assess the association between UMN and participant characteristics. The prevalence of UMN was 6.4% (n = 97). Female sex and low education levels were significantly associated with reporting UMN. Medical aid beneficiaries were less likely to report UMN than adults with National Health Programs coverage. Participants with chronic diseases, such as hypertension and arthritis, and those with depression, were more likely to report UMN than adults without these conditions. The findings highlight the need for targeted efforts to decrease UMN in the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for women and individuals with low education levels. The results also indicate that high-risk disease groups should be targeted with additional enabling services to support the management of chronic conditions.
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