[Health needs from the perspective of the client].
BACKGROUND
The perception of the population about their needs must be considered in health care planning.


OBJECTIVE
To describe health care needs from the perspective of potential clients of public health services.


METHODS
An inquiry to a representative sample of 202 dwellings, ascribed to a Family Health Service, was done. Subjects were asked about the health problems in their family and neighborhood. Twelve families from this sample were randomly chosen and interviewed about their health conception, needs and demands.


RESULTS
The mean age of subjects, per dwelling, was 31 years. Fifty percent were nuclear families and 6% were mono parental. Perceived problems were economical in 60% and health related in 12%. Eighty percent of health problems were related to addictions and violence. Interviewed subjects associated health with lack of services, with their experience with illness and pain and with a risk of social isolation and incommunication. Health care demands were referred to a better medical care. People declared needs in environmental hygiene, physical and mental health self care, food and jobs.


CONCLUSIONS
Using this information, simple strategies could be implemented to cope with health care demands of the population.
Bedregal
Paula
P
Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Escuela de Trabajo Social, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Escuela de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. pbedrega@med.puc.cl
Quezada
Margarita
M
Torres
Marisa
M
Scharager
Judith
J
García
José
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors