Social relationships may influence adherence to medical treatment, help-seeking behavior, and utilization of health services [ 11].
In a 2002 report on ethnic disparities in arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases [ 55], Jordan et al. attributed some disparities to ethnic differences in access to care, care-seeking behavior, and utilization of care.
However, health seeking behavior and utilization of a health care system, public or private, formal or non-formal, are not only related to availability and quality of services, but it is a result of interaction and balance between health needs, health resources, socio-economic and cultural factors [ 10, 11].
Fuchs argues that educated people invest in their own and their offspring's health in terms of healthy behaviors and utilization of health care services [ 15].
Independent variables associated with these behaviors, including socio-demographic factors, the prevalence of self-reported STD, risk behaviors and utilization of HIV prevention services, were investigated.
The prevalence rates of syphilis, HCV and unprotected sex were calculated by demographic characteristics, drug use and sexual behaviors, and utilization of HIV-related prevention services.
We describe HIV seroprevalence, HIV risk behaviors and utilization of health services among Mexican American injection drug users (IDUs) in California (n = 286) and compare them to White (n = 830) and African American (n = 314) IDUs.
Using data from the California Syringe Exchange Program Study (CalSEP), we described HIV seroprevalence, HIV risk behaviors and utilization of health services among a geographically diverse sample of IDUs recruited from all syringe exchange programs (SEPs) in the state of California between 2001 and 2003.
To examine associations of clinical need, defined by elevated parent ratings of child behavior problems and utilization of behavioral health services in young children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and an orthopedic injury (OI) comparison group.
Behavioral risks that influenced health-seeking behavior, access, and utilization of health services for early interventions were associated with higher educational level [ 58].
Structured questionnaire-based interviews provided demographics (age, marital status, ethnicity, residency status and education, sexual, drug use, and alcohol drinking behaviors, access and utilization of HIV-related prevention services, and stigma and discriminatory attitudes towards People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)).
