Effect of physical activity on healthcare seeking behavior in the general Chinese population: an urban-rural perspective

Abstract

Background: The “two-week visiting rate in those needing to visit” has been examined extensively as an important indicator of healthcare seeking behavior in China. Nevertheless, its relationship with health behaviors, such as physical activity, remains unknown. In addition, a significant difference exists between urban and rural Chinese people in terms of physical activity and healthcare seeking behavior. This study sought to investigate the relationship between physical activity and the two-week visiting rate by conducting a stratified analysis. Methods: The analysis included 5,801 participants aged above 15 years old. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to analyze the association after adjusting for possible confounding variables. Urban and rural differences were investigated using stratified analysis. Results: Adjusted estimates showed that those who were physically active were more likely to visit a healthcare facility, but only among the whole sample (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26‒1.66) and the rural sample (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21‒2.01), and not among the urban sample. Conclusions: Educating people on physical activity may help in improving healthcare seeking behavior and vice versa. Additionally, health interventions may be tailored based on different settings.

Keywords

• Physical activity
• Healthcare seeking behavior
• Urban and rural disparities