Title: [Assessment of the demand for and use of health services by the rural population of the province of Salamanca. Survey by personal interviews]

POPLINE Document Number: 076240

Author(s):

Saenz Gonzalez MC
Miron Canelo JA
Gonzalez Celador R

Source citation:

REVISTA DE SANIDAD E HIGIENE PUBLICA, 1991 Jan-Feb;65(1):61-70.

Abstract:

The demand for health care and increasing costs optimalization of the distribution of resources is important for planning of health care services. The rural population of Salamanca, Spain, was studied concerning their utilization of health services for subsequent transmission of these findings to health care planners and administration. The target population was grouped in health zones and age groups according to the head of the family. This was a primarily adult population with a marked process of aging. The sample comprised 619 families, and households were also considered with members. a questionnaire was administered containing 60 items on acute and chronic morbidity, service utilization, health habits, use of medications, and sociodemographic characteristics between March 21 through June 30, 1988. 71% of surveyed families in the previous 15 days has used primary level health care; secondary (hospitalization) level was 7%. Primary demand was 27% for diagnosis and urgent treatment; review of previous ailment was 26%; request for prescriptions was 34%; and dental visits in the previous year amounted to 17%. 83% of families had consumed medications in the 15 days prior to the survey; 27% used analgesics and psycholeptics; 20% used drugs against infection; 20% used locomotor drugs; 16% used antacids, antiflatulants, and drugs against peptic ulcer and vitamins; and 17% used antiasthmathics, antiflu, and anticough medications. Scheduled and emergency hospitalizations each amounted to 50%. Their duration was more than 3 months in 38%, 2-3 months in 20%, less than 15 days in 19%, and 15-30 days and 1-3 months in 10% each, respectively. In order of importance traumatology, ophthalmology, odontology, cardiology, and gynecology followed.

Keywords:

Spain
Rural Population
Drugs
Hospitals
Health Surveys
Epidemiologic Methods
Primary Health Care
Developed Countries
Europe, Southwestern
Europe
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Treatment
Health Facilities
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Research Methodology
Health Services