Behaviors associated with seeking medical care from surgical patients with different levels of disposable income

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze behavioral patterns associated with seeking medical help from patients with different levels of disposable income. Disposable income is the income remaining in the household after taxes in monetary terms. Its size is calculated as the average monthly income per each member of her family (household), regardless of his personal income. A household is considered as a set of people running a joint household, within which market principles of the distribution of economic benefits do not apply. The first (main) group included respondents whose average monthly disposable income was no more than 30 thousand rubles (low level). The second (control) group included respondents whose average monthly disposable income was more than 30 thousand rubles (a high level). The frequency of registration of an active behavior model in terms of seeking medical help is more common in the group of patients with a high level of disposable income, however, the most common form of behavior was delaying the moment of treatment and the frequency of using this approach did not depend on the level of disposable income. Uncertainty of behavior was more common among patients with low disposable income. Patients with a higher income level are more likely to comply with the doctor’s recommendations, while patients with lower incomes fully comply with them less often. The use of self-medication is a widespread model of behavior among surgical patients, however, patients with a higher level of disposable income more often refuse to use it and less often use it in an obligate mode in comparison with patients whose disposable income is lower than the value used as a separation criterion for the purposes of this study.