Evaluating Access to Primary Health Care Among Older Women and Men in Barbados Using Preventable Hospitalization

Abstract

We evaluated access to primary health care for older women and men in Barbados, a developing country, using a widely accepted access indicator, hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Using 2003–2008 data, we calculated gender-specific total annual population-based rates of these hospitalizations per 1,000 older women and men and individual rates for the six most prevalent conditions. Across the 6 years, these hospitalizations increased 33.6% for women, 30.6% for men (both P < .0001). However, the average rate for diabetes fell 32% for women, 36% for men. Findings suggest an opportunity to improve access to primary health care, particularly for older women.

KEYWORDS:

• aging
• ambulatory care sensitive conditions
• preventable hospitalization
• primary health care
• public health
• women