Factors affecting unmet healthcare needs of low-income overweight and obese women: Analysis of KNHANES 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore unmet healthcare needs and identify the factors affecting the unmet healthcare needs of low-income overweight and obese women. Methods: The study was a secondary data analysis using data from the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The final sample of 388 out of 8,127 was analyzed. The complex descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent t-test, and logistic regression. Results: The mean age of the participants was 66.51 ± 1.05. Unmet healthcare needs were experienced by 19.4% of low-income overweight and obese women. Women with depression, stress, and poor self-related health status were found to experience unmet healthcare needs with statistically significant differences. Factors related to unmet healthcare needs were self-related health status in low-income overweight and obese women (Odds ratio: 2.65, p=.011). Conclusion: The study provides insights into that the unmet healthcare needs of low-income overweight and obese women were influenced by self-related subject status. The healthcare providers should make an effort to develop strategies to reduce unmet healthcare needs for low-income overweight and obese women, who are vulnerable.