Table 2 Association of demographic, socioeconomic and health related characteristics with choices for western medicine consultation and OTC medication

Gender

   Female

Reference

Reference

   Male

1.31 (1.17, 1.46)

< 0.001

1.03 (0.96, 1.10)

NS

Age

   15-29

Reference

Reference

   30-39

1.21 (1.02, 1.44)

0.032

1.09 (0.98, 1.22)

NS

   40-49

1.28 (1.07, 1.53)

0.007

1.05 (0.94, 1.18)

NS

   50-59

1.14 (0.93, 1.39)

NS

0.90 (0.79, 1.02)

NS

   60-69

0.93 (0.73, 1.19)

NS

0.73 (0.63, 0.85)

< 0.001

   70 or above

0.50 (0.38, 0.67)

< 0.001

0.49 (0.42, 0.57)

< 0.001

Education level

   Below Primary

Reference

Reference

   Primary

1.42 (1.09, 1.84)

0.008

1.15 (1.01, 1.32)

0.047

   Secondary

1.35 (1.04, 1.75)

0.023

1.11 (0.97, 1.27)

NS

   Tertiary

0.98 (0.72, 1.33)

NS

0.84 (0.71, 0.98)

0.027

Marital status

   Currently married

Reference

Reference

   Not currently married

1.00 (0.88, 1.13)

NS

0.95 (0.88, 1.03)

NS

Self reported health

   Poor

Reference

Reference

   Good/fair

1.44 (1.15, 1.80)

0.001

1.44 (1.28, 1.62)

< 0.001

   Excellent/very good

1.21 (0.93, 1.57)

NS

1.19 (1.03, 1.38)

0.021

Self reported chronic disease status

   No

Reference

Reference:

   Yes

0.10 (0.08, 0.13)

< 0.001

0.82 (0.76, 0.89)

< 0.001

Drinking habit

   No

Reference

Reference

   Yes

1.03 (0.89, 1.21)

NS

0.97 (0.88, 1.07)

NS

Current smoker

   No

Reference

Reference

   Yes

1.56 (1.38, 1.78)

< 0.001

1.12 (1.02, 1.22)

0.010

Moderate exercise >=2.5 hours/week

   No

Reference

Reference

   Yes

0.81 (0.72, 0.91)

< 0.001

0.86 (0.80, 0.92)

< 0.001

Possession of western medicine insurance (%)

   No

Reference

Reference

   Yes

0.55 (0.47, 0.63)

< 0.001

0.99 (0.91, 1.07)

NS

Possession of Chinese medicine insurance (%)

   No

Reference

Reference

   Yes

0.91 (0.71, 1.15)

NS

1.12 (0.98, 1.27)

NS

Monthly personal income

(for every increment of HK$ 1000, or US$ 128.2)

0.98 (0.98, 0.99)

< 0.001

1.00 (0.99, 1.00)

0.022