Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1985

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major Professor

Bill C. Wallace

Committee Members

Robert H. Kirk, Velma Pressly, Carroll B. Coakley, James J. Neutens

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how sources of information dissemination, knowledge of services, need for services, and selected demographic variables influence the utilization of health services by those 65 years of age or older in the Knoxville-Knox County area. With the help of a representative from the Office on Aging a questionnaire was developed to measure need, knowledge, source of information, use, and demographic variables. A jury of experts then reviewed the questionnaire and revisions were made to increase validity. Next a pilot study was conducted on 25 randomly selected aged within different geographic areas in Knox County. The questionnaire was administered verbally by the interviewer with the interviewer recording the responses.

After the pilot study was completed, 269 aged were selected using Goodrow's technique of sample selection. The aged interviewed could not reside in convalescent homes, nursing homes, mental hospitals, or any other similar type of institution.

Chi-square tests were used to determine differences between use of services and demographic variables; use of services and source of information; source of information and demographic variables; knowl-edge of services and source of information; knowledge of services and demographic variables; and need for services and demographic vari-ables. Regression analyses were calculated for prediction of need for services and utilization; and prediction of knowledge of services and utilization.

Significant relationships were found between need and demo-graphic variables; knowledge and source of information; knowledge and demographic variables; and utilization and source of information (family).

The aged in this study appeared to feel a high degree of need for health services yet lacked knowledge of services available and made little use of the same. Possible reasons for the above are that the aged could not afford care, were to independent to ask for help, were ignorant of services, or were unable to relate service to need for care. Further study should be done to determine the relationship of morbidity to utilization of health services.

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