Avoidance and Delay of Medical Care in the Young: An Interdisciplinary Mixed-methods Study. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montagni, Ilaria; Langlois, Emmanuel; Koman, Jason; Petropoulos, Margaux; Tzourio, Christophe
• Is Part Of: Young. Volume 26:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 505
• Page End: 524
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Youth transition -- mixed-methods -- young people -- education -- parents; Youth -- Research -- Periodicals; Youth -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; Jeunesse -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Jeunesse -- Scandinavie -- Périodiques; Jeune; Mondialisation; Condition sociale; Recherche; Europe; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 305.242
• DOI: 10.1177/1103308817734474
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1103-3088

Abstract

Prompt and appropriate health-seeking behaviour among young people is a public health priority worldwide. However, data indicate that non-health-seeking behaviour is common among young adults who are particularly likely to avoid and delay medical care. Our study investigates this phenomenon through an interdisciplinary mixed-methods approach. Quantitative and qualitative data are presented from university students from 11 higher education institutions in the city of Bordeaux, France, for a total of 16 individual interviews and a questionnaire survey of 126 students. Results show that main reasons for non-health-seeking behaviour among students are: time constraints, lack of information on available health services and economic problems. The transitional period of university studies is a further justification of students' difficulty in managing their medical care. Providing a clear picture of avoidance and delay of medical care (ADMC) and attached reasons was intended to explore strategies for promoting health-seeking behaviour in university students.