Females and males frequently report substantial differences in social capital indicators and may use healthcare distinctly. Nevertheless, the potential effect of sex on the relation between social capital and healthcare use remains unclear. This study aims to quantify the association between different indicators of individuals' social capital and healthcare use, according to sex. Data were retrieved from the Sixth Wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which was conducted in 2015, and included 68,188 participants from 18 countries. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were computed using logistic regression. Overall, males and females with smaller social networks, those who live alone or with any other relatives besides their partners, and those whose first close confidant was a family member or a neighbour reported fewer contacts with medical doctors or nurses, as well as with dentists or dental hygienists. Amongst females, participation in educational or training courses (AOR = 1.67, 95%CI:1.40–2.00; p for interaction = 0.035) and sport, social or any other club (AOR = 1.79, 95%CI:1.58–2.02; p for interaction = 0.043) was associated with a more frequent contact with dentists or dental hygienists. Females who participated in volunteer or charity work (AOR = 0.76, 95%CI:0.64–0.91; p for interaction = 0.042) and political or community-related organisations (AOR = 0.72, 95%CI:0.52–1.00; p for interaction = 0.030) were less likely to report the use of polypharmacy. This outcome was more frequently observed amongst females who referred feelings of severe loneliness (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI:1.22–1.68; p for interaction < 0.001). Social capital is associated with healthcare use distinctively amongst males and females. Increasing opportunities for social participation may improve healthcare use, particularly amongst females.

中文翻译：

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社会资本与医疗保健使用之间关联的性别差异——欧洲健康、老龄化和退休调查 (SHARE) 的结果

女性和男性经常报告社会资本指标存在显着差异，并且可能会截然不同地使用医疗保健。然而，性别对社会资本和医疗保健使用之间关系的潜在影响仍不清楚。本研究旨在根据性别量化个人社会资本和医疗保健使用的不同指标之间的关联。数据取自 2015 年进行的第六波欧洲健康、老龄化和退休调查 (SHARE)，其中包括来自 18 个国家/地区的 68,188 名参与者。使用逻辑回归计算调整后的比值比 (AOR) 和 95% 置信区间 (95%CI)。总体而言，社交网络较小的男性和女性，独居或与伴侣以外的任何其他亲戚住在一起的人，那些第一亲密知己是家庭成员或邻居的人报告说，他们与医生或护士以及牙医或牙科保健员的接触较少。在女性中，参加教育或培训课程（AOR = 1.67，95%CI：1.40–2.00；互动 p = 0.035）和体育、社交或任何其他俱乐部（AOR = 1.79，95%CI：1.58–2.02；p相互作用 = 0.043）与更频繁地接触牙医或牙科保健员有关。参与志愿者或慈善工作（AOR = 0.76，95%CI：0.64–0.91；互动 p = 0.042）和政治或社区相关组织（AOR = 0.72，95%CI：0.52–1.00；互动 p）的女性= 0.030) 不太可能报告使用多种药物。这种结果在提到严重孤独感的女性中更常见（AOR = 1.44，95%CI：1.22–1.68；相互作用的 p < 0.001)。社会资本与男性和女性的医疗保健使用相关。增加社会参与的机会可能会改善医疗保健的使用，尤其是女性。