Fiona Robards1, Melissa Kang1,2, Georgina Luscombe3, Lena Sanci4, Katharine Steinbeck5, Stephen Jan6, Catherine Hawke3, Marlene Kong7, Tim Usherwood1,6. 1. Department of General Practice, The University of Sydney, Westmead Clinical School, New South Wales. 2. Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales. 3. School of Rural Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 4. Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Victoria. 5. Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 6. The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales. 7. The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To quantify barriers to healthcare for young people (12-24 years) and identify socio-demographic correlates and predictors. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey targeted young people living in New South Wales, Australia, with oversampling of marginalised groups. Principles Component Analysis (PCA) identified clusters of barriers. Ordinal regression identified predictors of each barrier cluster. RESULTS: A total of 1,416 young people completed surveys. Participants with chronic conditions and increasing psychological distress reported a greater number of barriers. Of 11 potential barriers to visiting a health service, cost was most common (45.8%). The PCA identified three clusters: structural barriers (61.3%), attitudinal barriers (44.1%) and barriers relating to emerging autonomy (33.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to healthcare reported by young people are multi-dimensional and have changed over time. Structural barriers, especially cost, are the most prominent among young people. Approaches to overcome structural barriers need to be addressed to better support marginalised young people's healthcare access. Implications for public health: Understanding predictors of different barrier types can inform more targeted approaches to improving access. Equitable access to healthcare is a priority for early diagnosis and treatment in young people, especially reducing out of pocket costs.
OBJECTIVE: To quantify barriers to healthcare for young people (12-24 years) and identify socio-demographic correlates and predictors. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey targeted young people living in New South Wales, Australia, with oversampling of marginalised groups. Principles Component Analysis (PCA) identified clusters of barriers. Ordinal regression identified predictors of each barrier cluster. RESULTS: A total of 1,416 young people completed surveys. Participants with chronic conditions and increasing psychological distress reported a greater number of barriers. Of 11 potential barriers to visiting a health service, cost was most common (45.8%). The PCA identified three clusters: structural barriers (61.3%), attitudinal barriers (44.1%) and barriers relating to emerging autonomy (33.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to healthcare reported by young people are multi-dimensional and have changed over time. Structural barriers, especially cost, are the most prominent among young people. Approaches to overcome structural barriers need to be addressed to better support marginalised young people's healthcare access. Implications for public health: Understanding predictors of different barrier types can inform more targeted approaches to improving access. Equitable access to healthcare is a priority for early diagnosis and treatment in young people, especially reducing out of pocket costs.
Authors: Daniel Waller; Fiona Robards; Carmen Huckel Schneider; Lena Sanci; Katharine Steinbeck; Sally Gibson; Tim Usherwood; Catherine Hawke; Stephen Jan; Marlene Kong; Melissa Kang Journal: Health Res Policy Syst Date: 2022-04-20
Authors: Fiona Robards; Melissa Kang; Georgina Luscombe; Catherine Hawke; Lena Sanci; Katharine Steinbeck; Karen Zwi; Susan Towns; Tim Usherwood Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-03 Impact factor: 3.390