[The use of medical services and the utilization rate in screening programs in relation to social class: results of a representative survey in Bavaria].

OBJECTIVES: This article aims to analyse utilisation of medical services and screening programmes in relation to social class.
METHODS: 2051 adults in Bavaria were interviewed using computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) in 1999/2000. Social class was established from the income-adjusted Winkler social category index. Data were standardised by age and sex. If social class differences were found, separate analyses for education and income effects were conducted.
RESULTS: Higher education was found to be associated with visits to specialist and vaccinations. The purchase of over-the-counter medication was related to higher education and family income. Frequency of HIV-tests was higher in higher social classes but not related to higher education or better financial situation. Utilisation rates for screening programmes for various types of cancer were similar in all social classes.
CONCLUSIONS: The results show that social class differences in health behaviour in Bavaria prevail. Positive health behaviour is often associated with higher education. Compared to earlier findings social class effects on the utilisation of cancer screening appears less pronounced. Preventive measures seem to have reached all social classes to a similar degree.