Reasons for Elderly Non-Attendance at Comprehensive Health Care Centers in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: The growing elderly population places financial strain on healthcare systems. Regular use of preventive and care services by older adults helps reduce costs and improve their quality of life. This study aims to identify barriers to elderly visits at comprehensive health care centers in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study identified elderly individuals who visited health centers only once between February and March 2021 and did not receive services until February–March 2022. After contacting them by phone, in-person interviews were conducted to gather reasons for their lack of visit. Findings: A total of 220 people participated in this study. The average age was 67.33 (±6.2) years. The most common reasons for not visiting were lack of invitations to the centers (65.5), unawareness of available services (56.4), and not knowing the location of the center (31.4). Men more often did not visit without a specific reason (33.6 of men vs. 16.8 of women), and this reason was also more frequently reported among employed individuals (70 of the employed). Conclusion: Insufficient information dissemination and lack of effective invitations were key reasons for elderly non-attendance at comprehensive health care centers, which can be addressed by improving invitation systems and enhancing the quality of information provided. © 2026, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.