The effect of Socioeconomic factors and unmet needs on outpatient services in Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of socioeconomic factors on outpatient services due to lack of access to outpatient services or failure to receive related services and to study the unmet needs of outpatient services in the country.

This study is an analytical-descriptive study. The data were collected from micro-health services data plan developed by the Health Research Institute in collaboration with the Statistical Center of Iran in 2014. The data were analyzed using econometric models, logistic regression analysis, and Stata version 13.

A significant statistical relationship was found between the socioeconomic indicators and the causes of unmet needs for outpatient services. Based on the logistic regression model, there was a statistically significant relationship between income level, type of activity, educational level, type of insurance, marital and residential status (urban/ rural) and failure to receive outpatient services. The most significant relationship was observed between the economic and social features and the reasons of not fulfilling the need for outpatient services.

The improvement of socioeconomic variables affect the use of outpatient services; therefore, the health system managers are required to pay greater attention to patients’ needs for health services.