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Study on the Status of Health Service Utilization among 3–5 Years Old Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Author

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  • Yufeng Ouyang

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, China
    These authors contributed equally to this paper.)

  • Jiaojiao Zou

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, China
    These authors contributed equally to this paper.)

  • Meimei Ji

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, China)

  • Yefu Zhang

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, China)

  • Tong Yuan

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, China)

  • Lina Yang

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, China)

  • Qian Lin

    (Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, China)

Abstract

The left-behind children (LBC) in China generally refer to children who remain in rural regions under the care of kin members while their parents migrate to urban areas. Due to some reasons, e.g., poverty, poor transportation conditions, lack of health resources, and preschool child care, it is hard for preschool-aged rural LBC to obtain essential health services. Random cluster sampling was used to recruit the caregivers and all the 3–5-year-old LBC in two rural counties in Hunan Province. A questionnaire was used to collect data on LBC demographics via face-to-face interviews with the caregivers. Health service needs were evaluated by the two-week prevalence rate, while health service utilization was measured by the two-week physician visit rate. Of the 559 respondents in the study, the two-week prevalence rate was 44.2% and the two-week physician visits rate was 48.6%. Nearly half of the sick children did not go to a hospital, 45.7% self-treated, and 5.3% did not take any treatment. The utilization rates of “health check,” “eye exam,” and “hearing screening for 3-year-olds” were extremely low (57.3%, 29.3%, 18.7%). The utilization rate of health services for preschool LBC in poor rural areas was extremely low, which can affect the normal growth and development of children.

Suggested Citation

  • Yufeng Ouyang & Jiaojiao Zou & Meimei Ji & Yefu Zhang & Tong Yuan & Lina Yang & Qian Lin, 2019. "Study on the Status of Health Service Utilization among 3–5 Years Old Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:1:p:125-:d:195022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meimei Ji & Yefu Zhang & Jiaojiao Zou & Tong Yuan & Amber Tang & Jing Deng & Lina Yang & Mingzhi Li & Jihua Chen & Hong Qin & Qian Lin, 2017. "Study on the Status of Health Service Utilization among Caregivers of Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province: A Baseline Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Matsuoka, Sadatoshi & Aiga, Hirotsugu & Rasmey, Lon Chan & Rathavy, Tung & Okitsu, Akiko, 2010. "Perceived barriers to utilization of maternal health services in rural Cambodia," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(2-3), pages 255-263, May.
    3. Laura Treacy & Håkon A Bolkan & Mette Sagbakken, 2018. "Distance, accessibility and costs. Decision-making during childbirth in rural Sierra Leone: A qualitative study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, February.
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    1. Jing Luo & Jiaojiao Zou & Meimei Ji & Tong Yuan & Mei Sun & Qian Lin, 2019. "Emotional and Behavioral Problems Among 3- to 5-Year-Olds Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.

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