Sex differences in formal recommendation of assets for health (social prescribing) in Aragon

• Published in: BMC public health Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 1992 - 9
• Main Authors: Pola-Garcia, Marina, Benede Azagra, Carmen Belen, Enriquez Martin, Natalia, Lou Alcaine, Maria Luz, Melus-Palazon, Elena, Mendez-Lopez, Fatima, Gasch-Gallen, Angel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 25.07.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis; Bivariate analysis; Chi-square test; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data analysis; Demographic aspects; Electronic health records; Electronic medical records; Electronic records; Emotions; Female; Females; Gender; Gender differences; Gender role; Health care; Health care reform; Health disparities; Health Promotion; Health services; Humans; Likert scale; Male; Males; Medical records; Methods; Middle Aged; Multivariate analysis; Patient satisfaction; Prescription writing; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Primary Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Regression analysis; Rural areas; Sex; Sex differences; Sex Factors; Sex role; Skills; Social aspects; Social Prescribing; Sociodemographics; Spain; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Spain; Europe; Primary Health Care; Health Promotion; Social Prescribing; Sex; Gender role
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19497-4

In primary health care, social prescribing is an important tool which is gaining popularity. It is being studied significantly, however there is not enough evidence about different related issues. The aim of this study is to analyse the differences by sex in the application of a social prescription protocol in Primary Care. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with data from the Electronic Health Record between September 2018 and March 2021. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses of data from 2,109 records of Social Prescription protocol in primary health care centers located in Aragón in northern Spain (Europe) were performed using Jamovi Statistics software (version 2.3.28). The comparisons by sex were carried out using a Mann-Whitney U or chi-squared test to analyse differences. The protocol was used correctly 1,482 times, where it was applied more in females (74.8% female vs. 25.2% male). The median age in females was higher than males (female 72 vs. males 70; p = 0.003). There were significant differences by sex in several aspects to strengthen with the social prescribing, physical, emotional and relational skills. Most females and males regularly attended the recommended asset and there were significant differences in the group that never attended. Mean satisfaction was statistically different, with 4.74 points out of 5 for females and 4.86/5 for males (p = 0.010). It can be observed that older females in rural areas (OR = 34.15), whose social prescription acts on Emotional Skills and Relational and Social Skills (OR = 6.10-8.23), with good prior self-care and greater participant satisfaction (OR = 8.96), have greater chance of improving their health. Some results showed sex differences in the use and outcomes of formal asset recommendation. However, further research is needed to assess the relationship between social prescription, sex and gender and their implications.