ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to find out the distribution of illness, patterns of medical care utilization and factors determining medical care utilization in elementary school children. METHODS: We performed the questionnaires in Gwangju city on 2,036 children of two elementary schools from June 1 to June 30, 1998. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of illness was 32.3%. The distribution of illness was respiratory disease(64.7%), gastrointestinal disease(12.8%), injury & poisoning. The rate of persons having received medical treatment when they were sick, was 89.8%. The selection distribution among various medical facilities was pediatric hospital(46.7%), otolaryngologic hospital(19.8%), pharmacy (13.2%) and internal medicine in the decreasing frequency sequence. The major factors influencing the selection of medical facility were geographic accessibility and good results. The most common reason for the first visit to the pediatric hospital was geographic accessibility. The most common reason for a visit and to otolaryngologic hospital was a good result. The most frequently utilized medical facility for respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms was pediatric hospital. The persons influencing the selection of medical facility in the children were mother(73.3%), father(10.8%), doctor and others in decreasing sequence. The persons answering the questionaire thought that the optimal age of pediatric care was from 0 to 12 years(47.8%), to 10 years(22.4%) and to 15 years(18.5%) in decreasing rate. CONCLUSION: Other departments instead of pediatrics have treated children. Children have particular growth and development process, which is different to those of adults. So, it is necessary to choose special medical care and adequate medical facilities for children.