Turpanjian College of Health Sciences Published in BMC Health Services Research Journal

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YEREVAN, Armenia — The Avedisian Onanian Center for Health Services Research and Development (CHSR) of the Gerald & Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (CHS) at the American University of Armenia (AUA) published a new article titled “Factors associated with delay or avoidance of medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia: results from a nationwide survey” in the BMC Health Services Research journal, an international, scientific, peer-reviewed, open-access journal on all aspects of health services research including health policy, health system quality and safety, healthcare delivery, and access to healthcare. The study is authored by Serine Sahakyan (MPH ’15), RN; Diana Muradyan (MPH ’20), M.D., Ph.D.; Aida Giloyan (MPH ’07), M.S.; and Tsovinar Harutyunyan (MPH ’99), Ph.D.

The study, which recruited 3,483 people aged 18-90, assessed the prevalence of and risk factors associated with avoidance or delay of medical care due to COVID-19 in Armenia in 2021. About 10.0% of the respondents avoided or delayed both routine and urgent medical care, whereas 5.5% avoided or delayed urgent and/or emergency care and 6.6% routine care.

Younger age, female gender, higher perceived threat, and not being vaccinated against COVID-19 were factors associated with avoidance or delay of any type of medical care in the adjusted analysis. Female gender and higher monthly expenditures were associated with avoidance or delay of routine medical care, while female gender and higher perceived threat of COVID-19 were associated with delay or avoidance of urgent or emergency care.

The study supplies important information regarding care-seeking behavior during the pandemic. Educational interventions among population groups that are more likely to avoid medical care in times of pandemic might be crucial. Provision of in-home healthcare services for high-risk groups might help address important medical care needs during a pandemic.    

The AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.