Education and self-reported health care seeking behaviour in European welfare regimes: results from the European Social Survey

Abstract

This study investigates educational inequalities in the perception of need for seeking health care in 24 European countries belonging to five different welfare regimes (Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, Bismarckian, Eastern and Southern). Based on the European Social Survey Round 2 (N = 38,122), associations between years of education and intended doctor consultation in case of four hypothetical symptoms (backache, sore throat, sleeping problems and headache) are analysed by multiple logistic regressions. People with less years of education tend to be more likely to consult a doctor compared to people with more education years after adjustment for age and gender. Associations are significant in all welfare regimes, except for the Southern. Educational inequalities in the perception of need for seeking health care can be found in different welfare regimes.