Self-reported illness and use of health services in a rural district of Vietnam: findings from an epidemiological field laboratory.
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.
Giang
Kim Bao
KB
Department of Health Managment and Health Policy, Faculty of Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam. kbgiangvn@yahoo.com
Allebeck
Peter
P
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