Patient factors related to the odds of receiving prevention services in Veterans Health Administration medical centers.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between patient characteristics and the odds of receiving 13 health promotion/disease prevention services recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for average-risk individuals.

METHODS

A mail survey was sent to a random sample of 68,422 veterans who obtained primary care from any of the 153 Veterans Health Administration facilities in 1996; 44,304 responded (adjusted response rate was 68%). Multivariate logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

Demographic factors, health risk behaviors, and self-reported health were associated with the odds of receiving prevention services. Current smokers, heavy alcohol drinkers, and females were less likely to receive many health promotion services, whereas regular exercisers, overweight individuals, males, those reporting poorer health, individuals reporting high or controlled blood pressure, and those reporting high or controlled cholesterol levels were more likely to receive USPSTF-recommended prevention services.

CONCLUSION

Substantial proportions of veterans were likely to obtain prevention services recommended by the USPSTF for average-risk individuals. Nevertheless, veterans who reported being current smokers, heavy drinkers, or female were less likely to obtain these services. These subgroups may benefit from additional initiatives.