Journal of Biosocial Science
Volume 42, Issue 6, 2010, Pages 743-756

Comparing knowledge and use of health services of migrants from rural and urban areas in Kunming city, China (Article)

Wei X.* , Pearson S. , Zhang Z. , Qin J. , Gerein N. , Walley J.
  • a Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom, School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • b Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
  • c Institute of Population and Labor Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China
  • d Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
  • e Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
  • f Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom

Abstract

This paper compares the knowledge and utilization of health services among rural residents, urban residents, rural migrants and urban migrants in a large Chinese city. Data were obtained from a questionnaire survey of 2765 individuals (1951 heads of households and 814 spouses) in Guandu district, Kunming, in 2005. The determinants of their knowledge and utilization of health services were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. First, the migrant population was less likely to know of, or utilize, high-level hospitals and township hospitals than residents. Migrants were more likely to utilize private rather than public services for general health care and delivery care. Second, there was a difference between rural migrants and urban migrants in terms of knowledge and utilization of health services. Rural migrants utilized more low-cost private clinics, but had less knowledge about sources of condoms than urban migrants. Finally, rural residents had more knowledge and utilization of township hospitals than urban residents. This latter group were more likely to utilize high-level hospitals. Migrants' access to health care in urban China is understood better using a dual rural-urban and migrant-resident analytical framework. Rural migrants are the most disadvantaged in their access to urban health care. Further reform of the registered residence system and urban public financing system is recommended. Better information on services and their utilization should be provided to migrants and residents. Copyright © 2010 Cambridge University Press.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

information processing urban population China human statistics rural population health service comparative study health status Logistic Models Health Services Needs and Demand Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study Humans Multivariate Analysis questionnaire health services Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article Questionnaires migration Utilization Review Analysis of Variance statistical model Transients and Migrants attitude to health Data Collection Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79451472206&doi=10.1017%2fS0021932010000313&partnerID=40&md5=427c08af2026d9cd79600ed347515a8b
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932010000313
ISSN: 00219320
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English