Office encounters in general practice in the Hamilton health district II: Ethnic group patterns among employed males, 15-64.

Differences in life expectancy and health chances between Maori and non-Maori are well-documented in New Zealand. On the evidence of such differentials, higher levels of health service use among the Maori would be expected. Data from a 1% survey of office encounters in general practice in the Hamilton health district showed Maori rates of utilisation that were on average 40% higher than those recorded for non-Maori males. Controlling for social class did not alter this discrepancy. Although the Maori/non-Maori difference in the rate of office encounters was greater than that reported for the equivalent social class comparison, it still fell far short of the ethnic difference in the burden of ill-health that was indicated by the available epidemiological evidence.