Inequalities in the utilization of health care services in a transition European country: results from the national population health survey.

Objectives: To examine demographic, socio-economic, and health status inequalities in the utilization of health care services (UHCS) in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the 2010 National Health Survey for the RS adult population (n = 4128). A complex sample design was taken into account for statistical analysis.

Results: As compared to men, a higher percentage of women visited a family physician (FP), urgent care department, dentist and private doctor. Higher educated women and those worse-off (OR 1.17) more frequently visited FP. Hospitalization (OR 4.56 for males; OR 9.17 for females), visit to urgent care department (OR 3.19 for males; OR 2.42 for females) and visits to FP in females (OR 1.46) were associated with poor self-perceived health. No inequalities by wealth index were found for the utilization of FP, hospitalization, urgent care and dentist among persons with poor self-perceived health status.

Conclusions: The present study confirmed demographic, socio-economic and health status inequalities in the UHCS in RS. These findings have significant implications for health policy makers that seek to provide equal care for all people living in RS.