title: Self-reported illness and use of health services in a rural district of Vietnam: findings from an epidemiological field laboratory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to assess the pattern of self-reported illness as well as use of health services in a rural district in Vietnam, and to analyse these in relation to gender, age, education level, occupation, and economic status.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based survey of 11,089 households was conducted in 1999. Through household interviews, data were collected on self-reported health, use of health services during the four weeks prior to the interview, and other background factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of self-reported illness was 48%. Cough, fever, and headache were the most commonly reported symptoms (20%) while cardiovascular disorders were least reported (0.6%). Occurrence of illness was significantly lower in groups with higher education, especially among men, but there was no difference between occupational and economic groups. Self-treatment was very common (69%). Private health facilities were used to a large extent, while community health stations played a less important role. Use of district hospitals was significantly higher among employed people.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An epidemiological field laboratory enabled analysis of self-reported illness and use of health services, which is important for planning of health services. We found a high level of reported illness but a very low utilization of community health services. Better knowledge about illness patterns could be important for improving quality of and access to community health services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Managment and Health Policy, Faculty of Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam. kbgiangvn@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kim Bao
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Giang
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allebeck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology