Prognostic significance of socio-demographic predictors of availability of otolaryngological medical care.

<jats:p>Accessibility of healthcare is a priority area for research and monitoring the effectiveness of healthcare systems globally. Accessibility of healthcare is influenced by a complex set of interrelated economic, insurance, organizational, geographic, sociodemographic, and personal factors. One of the most commonly requested services is otolaryngological care, the availability of which is extremely uneven across Russia’s regions. Information on the prognostic significance of sociodemographic predictors will help optimize accessibility of otolaryngological care. Purpose of the study is to establish reliable socio-demographic predictors and their prognostic significance in patients’ assessment of the availability of otolaryngological medical care. Materials and methods. From September 2025 to November 2025, a cross-sectional study of the availability of medical otolaryngological care was planned and conducted based on estimates of 427 adults in 7 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, on the basis of which the prognostic significance of predictors was assessed: gender, age, region of residence, financial wealth. Analytical, sociological, and statistical methods were used. Results. Based on Pearson correlation and regression analysis, reliable socio-demographic predictors and their prognostic significance in patients’ assessment of the availability of otolaryngological medical care were determined. A reliable weak direct relationship was established between self-assessment of the availability of otolaryngological medical care and the region of residence (r=0.1; p=0.029; A=50.1%; R2=0.011) and material wealth (r=0.2; p=0.001; A=20.5%; R2=0.028) of respondents. The relationship between patients’ assessment of the availability of otolaryngological medical care and age was weak and inversely directed (r=0.106; p=0.029; A=50.1%; R2=0.011). No statistically significant relationship was found between satisfaction with the availability of otolaryngological medical care and the gender of respondents. Predictors: age, region of residence, material wealth, can be used to create an integrated indicator of accessibility. Finding. The prognostic significance of the predictors: age, financial wealth, region of residence, is reliable, but insignificant. Patients’ self-assessment of the availability of otolaryngological medical care is subjective. Socio-demographic predictors: age, financial wealth and region of residence, can be used in calculating the integral indicator of accessibility of otolaryngological medical care.</jats:p>