Sex Differences and Psychological Factors Associated with General Health Examinations Participation: Results from a Vietnamese Cross-Section Dataset

Quan-Hoang Vuong, Kien-Cuong P. Nghiem, La Phuong (), Thu-Trang Vuong, Hong Kong Nguyen (), Ho Toan, Kien Tran, Thu-Hong Khuat and Tung Ho
Additional contact information
Quan-Hoang Vuong: Centre for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia, Ha Dong, Ha Noi 100803, Vietnam
Kien-Cuong P. Nghiem: Vietnam-Germany Hospital, 16 Phu Doan street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thu-Trang Vuong: Campus Dijon, Sciences Po, 75337 Paris, France
Kien Tran: Institute for Social Development Studies - ISDS, Suite 1804, PH Floor, The Garden Building, Me Tri Road, Tu Liem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thu-Hong Khuat: Institute for Social Development Studies - ISDS, Suite 1804, PH Floor, The Garden Building, Me Tri Road, Tu Liem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Quan-Hoang Vuong

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: This study focuses on the association of sex differences and psychological factors with periodic general health examination (GHE) behaviors. We conducted a survey in Hanoi and the surrounding areas, collecting 2068 valid observations; the cross-section dataset was then analyzed using the baseline category logit model. The study shows that most people are afraid of discovering diseases through general health examinations (76.64%), and the fear of illness detection appears to be stronger for females than for males (β 1(male) = −0.409, p < 0.001). People whose friends/relatives have experienced prolonged treatment tend to show more hesitation in participating in physical check-ups (β 2 = 0.221, p < 0.05). On the ideal frequency of GHEs, 90% of the participants agree on once or twice a year. The probability of considering a certain period of time as an appropriate frequency for GHEs changes in accordance with the last doctor visit (low probability of a health examination every 18 months) and one’s fear of potential health problems post-checkup (no fear raises probability of viewing a health examination every 6 months by 9–13 percentage points). The results add to the literature on periodic GHE in particular and on preventive health behaviors in general.

Keywords: periodic general health examination; fear of illness detection; sex; Vietnam (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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