Exploring regional disparities in health satisfaction: a comparative study of socio-demographic, non-medical and medical factors in Asia and non-Asia

Purpose This study highlights how socio-demographic, non-medical and medical factors play a different role in the health satisfaction among people between Asian countries and non-Asian countries. Design/methodology/approach This study employs the hierarchical linear regression. Findings All medical factors play an important role in health satisfaction across all categories and countries, with the exception of practitioners in Asian countries. Second, non-medical factors have a more pronounced role in health satisfaction in Asian countries than in non-Asian countries. Third, socio-demographic factors exert a greater influence on health satisfaction within healthcare systems in Asian countries, whereas they have a more significant impact on practitioners in non-Asian countries. Fourth, gender, education and weight consistently affect health satisfaction across all categories in Asian countries, while their influence is less pronounced in non-Asian countries. Originality/value This study underscores the necessity for health policymakers and practitioners to account for regional differences in the determinants of health satisfaction.