Lomans AM, Uijen AA, Akkermans RP, Lagro-Janssen TALM, Teunissen DAM. Help-seeking behaviour in primary care of men and women with a history of abuse: A Dutch cohort study.
Eur J Gen Pract 2022;
28:40-47. [PMID:
35379063 PMCID:
PMC8986289 DOI:
10.1080/13814788.2022.2054985]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Previous studies show an association between a history of abuse and higher care demand. However, studies in general practice regarding help-seeking behaviour by patients (mainly male patients) with a history of abuse are scarce.
Objectives
To analyse help-seeking behaviour in general practice of men and women with a history of abuse.
Methods
A cohort study using data from a Dutch primary care registration network from 2015 to 2019. We included all patients aged ≥ 18 years who indicated on a questionnaire that they did or did not have a history of abuse. We analysed differences in contact frequency, types of contact, reason for encounter and diagnoses between men and women with or without a history of abuse.
Results
The questionnaire had a response rate of 59% and resulted in 11,140 patients, of which 1271 indicated a history of abuse. Men and women with a history of abuse contact the general practitioner (GP) 1.5 times (95% CI 1.42–1.60) more often than men and women without a history of abuse, especially for psychological (rate ratio 1.97, 95% CI 1.79–2.17) and social (rate ratio 1.93, 95% CI 1.68–2.22) problems. Moreover, when diagnosed with a psychological or social problem, patients with a history of abuse contact the GP twice more often for these problems.
Conclusion
Compared to men and women without a history of abuse, men and women with a history of abuse visit their GP more often, particularly for psychological and social problems.
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