Survey on health demands and utilization of health services in rural and urban areas in Hebei province

  Objective   To undetstand the currentstatus of health needs, health demands and utilization of health services of urban and rural residents in Hebei province; to make a foundation for allocationg health resources and provide community health services.

  Methods   20 529 residents were selected randomly by stratified-cluster sampling and surveyed by using standar dized questionnaires.

  Results   The two-week prevalence rate was 18.75%.Sick persons who soug htmedical care accounted for 14.32% among the to tal pupulation.The sick persons who did notseek medical care accountfor 57.60% among the sick pupulation.Chronic disease prevalence rate was 169.0 j.The proportion of people aged 15 and above who did not feel well physically or phy cologically was 28.04%.The annual hospitalization rate was 2.56%.

  Conclusion   The utilization of health ser vices is far lower than the health needs of local people.Effective measures should be taken to enhance the utilization rate of health services.