Table 3.

Ecological variables used in the analyses

Variable [short name]	Model 1	Model 2	Model 3
Number of Outpatient visits per 1000 population in the 2-week period prior to the survey [Outpatient visit]	*
Number of Inpatient visits per 1000 population over the preceding 52 weeks [Inpatient visit]		*
Per capita annual medical expenditure [annual medical expenditure]			*
Per capita annual income [Annual income]	*	*	*
Percentage of individuals in a rural county having government and social insurance [Government and social insurance]	*	*	*
Percentage of individuals in a rural county having private medical insurance [Private medical insurance]	*	*	*
Percentage of individuals in a rural county having no medical insurance cover and therefore to pay out of pocket for medical expenditure [No medical insurance cover]	*	*	*
Rural class IV	*	*	*
Rural class I	*	*	*
Percentage of households in a rural county having to travel more than 30 minutes to the nearest health facility [Time - Over 30 minutes to the nearest health facility]	*	*	*
Number of 2-week restricted activity days per 1000 population [Restricted activity days]	*		*
Number of doctor-diagnosed chronic conditions per 1000 population [Doctor-diagnosed chronic conditions]	*		*
Number of doctor referrals for hospitalisation per 1000 population [Doctor referrals for hospitalisation]		*	*
Age group - 0-4 and 5-14 years old	*	*	*
Age group - 15-24, 25-34,35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years old	*	*	*
Age group - > 65+ years old	*	*	*