At least half of Irish adults avoid visiting their GP because of the cost involved, a new survey has found.

According to the findings, those most likely to avoid their GP because of cost are females (56%), people living in Dublin (57%) and people in the 35-44 age group (62%). Meanwhile those over the age of 55 are less likely to avoid GP visits for financial reasons.

The nationwide survey of 1,000 adults also revealed that two in three people wait until they feel ill or experience symptoms before even considering going for a health check or an annual check-up. This figure is significantly higher among younger people (80%) between the ages of 25 and 34.

However, despite citing prohibitive cost as a reason for avoiding GP visits, females still visit the doctor more frequently than males, with over three in five women visiting a GP more than three times a year. In comparison, less than half of males said they visit their GP more than three times a year.

Not surprisingly, people over the age of 55 were most likely to visit their GP over three times a year (67%).

The survey also noted that fewer than half of respondents felt that complementary therapy was a good option, although women were significantly more likely than men to find it worthwhile (47% versus 30%).

At least one in five people said they were unsure of the benefits of complementary therapy.

The survey was commissioned by QUINN-Healthcare.