Factors affecting use of preventive medical care: an exploratory case study using Penang data

The objective of this study is to examine socio-demographic, lifestyle and health determinants of use of preventive medical care in Malaysia. Based on a cross-sectional survey conducted in Penang (Malaysia), logit models were used to analyse the likelihood of using preventive medical care. Findings indicate age, ethnicity, marital status, history of serious family illnesses, education, income and self-rated health can affect the likelihood of using preventive medical care. In particular, young individuals, ethnic Malays, the unmarried, individuals without history of serious family illnesses, the less- educated, low income earners and individuals with self-rated fair/excellent health are unlikely to use preventive medical care. Based on these findings, several population-based health policies targeted at increasing the use of preventive medical care are proposed