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Healthcare Service Access and Costs of Illness in Edentulous Elderly Patients with Complete Dentures in Health Region 9, Thailand |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | Surachai Phimha |
| Title | Healthcare Service Access and Costs of Illness in Edentulous Elderly Patients with Complete Dentures in Health Region 9, Thailand |
| Contributor | Nawaporn Rattanachariya, Surachai Phimha, Prapassara Sirikarn, Chanaporn Pinsuwan, Pansa Intaram |
| Publisher | Thai Society of Higher Education Institutes on Environment |
| Publication Year | 2568 |
| Journal Title | EnvironmentAsia |
| Journal Vol. | 18 |
| Journal No. | 3 |
| Page no. | 181-193 |
| Keyword | Cost of illness, Appointment adherence, Edentulous elderly, Complete dentures |
| URL Website | http://www.tshe.org/ea/index.html |
| Website title | EnvironmentAsia |
| ISSN | 1906-1714 |
| Abstract | Tooth loss significantly affects the quality of life among the elderly. As Thailand becomes an aging society, dental service access is a crucial public health issue. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine relationships between healthcare service access, costs of illness and appointment adherence among edentulous elderly patients receiving complete removable dentures in Health Region 9. A cross-sectional study was conducted 692 participants (346 elderly patients and 346 caretakers) in three tertiary hospitals. Data were collected through interviews from September 2024 to February 2025. The multiple logistic regression was used to analyze relationships between factors. Main direct non-medical costs included average transportation costs of 160.14 THB (4.69 USD) per visit and additional food costs of 74.47 THB (2.18 USD) per visit. For indirect costs, patients spent an average of 3.93 hours per visit and lost income averaging 275.14 THB (8.06 USD) per visit. Caretakers spent an average of 4.72 hours per visit and lost income averaging 571.24 THB (16.75 USD) per visit. Patients who had to pay more than 1,000 THB (29.31 USD) in additional medical costs were significantly less likely to attend follow-up appointments (Adjusted OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11-0.47). Patients with high levels of healthcare service access were 2.15 times more likely to attend appointments (Adjusted OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.17-3.95). Cost of illness significantly impacts appointment adherence among edentulous elderly patients. High additional treatment costs reduce appointment attendance while good level of healthcare service access improve adherence. Comprehensive support policies for both patients and caretakers are needed. |
