Sociodemographic, Lifestyle and Media Factors Associated with Health Screening: Evidence from Timor-Leste

Abstract

Preventive medicine plays an important role in combating the surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). By using health screening, individuals can prevent and monitor the development of NCDs. This study aims to examine sociodemographic, lifestyle and media factors associated with the use of health screening (blood pressure and blood glucose tests) among adults in Timor-Leste. Data used in this study were derived from the Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey 2016. A total of 4,264 adults aged between 30 and 59 years were included in the bivariate probit analysis. Results showed that the use of health screening remained low in Timor-Leste. Males, rural dwellers, less-educated individuals, individuals who were in the poorer and poorest wealth quintiles, and unmarried individuals were less likely to use blood pressure test compared with females, urban dwellers, well-educated individuals, individuals who were in the richest wealth quantile and married individuals. Adults less likely to use blood glucose tests were less educated and unmarried. However, the use of health screening was not correlated with a respondent’s lifestyle behaviour and mass media exposure. In short, sociodemographic factors were associated with the use of health screening in Timor-Leste. Policymakers should consider designing intervention measures based on different sociodemographic groups.