Abstract
Objective : To clarify the intention of obtaining health checkup among middle-aged non-attendees with national health insurance and the characteristics of intenders / non-intenders, to improve the rates of having the intention to obtain a health checkup specifically for metabolic syndrome. Methods : Subjects were aged 42 to 49 with non-attendance for three consecutive years to health checkups by national health insurers in a rural community in Japan. Data were collected through structured interviews at the subjects' homes. Results : Eighteen attendees who had health checkups specifically for metabolic syndrome at other locations (hospital, workplace, etc.) were excluded. Among seventy-two subjects interviewed, fifty-five non-attendees had the intention of obtaining health checkups. Intenders were significantly affected by injunctive norm from partners, and believed in the need for health maintenance. Non-intenders were significantly more male, non-married, living alone. Conclusion : 55.6% of continuous non-attendees of health checkup had the intention of obtaining them. The intenders were affected by injunctive norm from partners and understood the need for health maintenance. Non-intenders were mostly male, non-married, and living alone. A positive approach to such characteristic non-attendees and approaches to partners of non-attendees by public health nurses are needed to improve their intention.
