Aims:To determine self-health image and illness perception as potential
barriers to health services access among inhabitants of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: A cross-sectional
study, where survey, “Brief Illness-Perception Questionnaire” and basic medical
examination were performed on 2430 participants at homes. Results: Although
men showed a better concept of their state of health, they perceived their
illness worse and belatedly. Only 45% of participants perceived symptoms
disease, and from them, 48% finally decided to consult to the health system.
Hence, from every 100 sick people, only 21 had access to a health institution.
Higher level of education achieved, better socio-economic conditions or holding
health insurance were significantly associated with appropriate health seeking,
and access to health service. Conclusions: Self-health image and disease perception affected people’s access to health
services. Participants of this study showed suboptimal disease perception,
manifested as meager and delayed demand for care. These results demonstrate the weakness of current health care
model based on people’s spontaneous demand. It is necessary to adopt a
new health system for the entire population, regardless of the self-awareness
that people may have about their own health/disease status. It would be a more
inclusive, effective and efficient healthcare model.
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