Modeling of Access to Health Services in Turkey: The Count Data Models with a Poisson Distribution

In simple terms, access refers to people's ability to obtain and use quality health care technologies when they need. In this study, data collected by TurksStat, Turkish Statistical Institute, through Turkey Health Survey which was applied across the country was analyzed. This survey was carried out every two years, for the first time in 2008 and the last time in 2016. The aim of this study is to examine the level of access to health services in terms of some socio-demographic variables such as gender, age, education, health status and income in Turkey between the years 2008-2016. The results obtained with the analysis show that all variables differ according to years and they are statistically significant. According to the analysis conducted as part of the study, it was concluded that, in Turkey, the status of income and health insurance do not constitute a risk factor on the access to health services. It is thought that the presence of a social security system involving the whole country has an effect on this result. Considering from this point of view, in countries that do not have a strong social security system, out-of-pocket health spending and private health insurance increase the inequalities among the social segments. Therefore, private health insurances and income systems to reduce dependence on out-of-pocket health spending should be developed, and access to health services should not be an indicator of income. In this respect, more research is needed in which access to health services is evaluated from all aspects.