Study on the co-occurrence of multiple health service needs throughout the lifecourse of rural residents in China based on association rules.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the multiple health service needs of rural residents in China and explore the co-occurrence patterns of these needs throughout the entire life course, providing a basis for the formulation and optimization of health service packaging policies.

METHODS

This study utilized a stratified random sampling method, resulting in a final sample size of 15,125 individuals. The R statistical software was employed to apply the Apriori algorithm to mine the co-occurrence relationships among multiple health service needs across the life course and to explore the packaging model of these services.

RESULTS

The health service needs rate among rural residents in China is 86.76%, with a multiple health service needs rate of 78.72%. The most needed services are health exercise guidance (17.10%), Traditional Chinese Medicine health care (15.53%), and internet health information services (14.40%). The highest combined health service need is for "exercise guidance need + internet health information need + Traditional Chinese Medicine health care need," followed by "exercise guidance need + internet information need." There are significant differences in the content and strength of associations in the co-occurrence structure of multiple health service needs across different age groups. During the life preparation stage, the need for multiple health services is high, with modern medical care and child management having the highest support. In the life protection stage, the focus shifts to preventive health needs, with strong associations among co-occurring needs (the highest support rule being Traditional Chinese Medicine health care + exercise guidance, support = 21.12%). The co-occurrence of medical and preventive health service needs among the older adult is diverse, with the strongest association being between chronic disease management services and rehabilitation services (support = 31.24%).

CONCLUSION

The multiple health service needs rate among rural residents in China is high, with the greatest needs being for exercise guidance, Traditional Chinese Medicine health care, and internet health information services. There are significant differences in health service needs across different life stages. It is essential to enhance the integration and packaging of health service resources to promote diversity in health services and meet the multiple health service needs of residents throughout their life courses.