Gender differences in health care use among the elderly population in Norway and Finland. A cross-sectional analysis based on the HUNT Study and the FINRISK Senior Survey

Gender differences in health care use among the elderly population in Norway and Finland. A cross-sectional analysis based on the HUNT Study and the FINRISK Senior Survey. Background: The aim of the study was to examine gender differences in the self-reported use of health care services by the elderly in two Nordic countries with slightly different health care systems: Finland and Norway. Methods: Population based, cross-sectional surveys conducted in Norway (1995–97) and in Finland (1997) were employed. In the Norwegian data, a total of 7,919 individuals, aged 65–74 years old were included, and the Finnish data included 1,500 individuals. The outcome variables comprised whether participants had visited a general practitioner or a specialist, or had received hospital care or physiotherapy during the past 12 months. Gender differences in the use of health care services were analysed by multiple logistic regression, controlling for health status and socio-demographic characteristics. Results: In Norway, elderly women visited a specialist or were hospitalised less often than men. In Finland, elderly women used all health care services except hospital care more often than men. In Norway, less frequent use of specialist care by women was not associated with self-reported health or chronic diseases. Conclusion: The findings indicate that there was a gender bias in secondary care use in Norway compared with Finland. Word count: 191