| Abstrakt: |
The aims of this study were to determine the possible underestimated groups in needs assessment and prioritization in developing countries by focusing on the case of Izmir and to analyse the characteristics of people who are not aware of their needs (unfelt needs) and people who had symptoms which did not result in health service utilization (undemanded wants). This was a cross-sectional: Izmir metropolitan area with a population of 2.4 million; sample size: 1,173 houses; cluster sampling: 117 clusters, 10 households in each cluster including 791 < 15 years of age and 2,489 adults. The population-based coverage was 79% and household-based coverage 76%. Backward conditional logistic regression analysis was used. Symptoms: in children who were born in Izmir, whose mothers were educated more than 5 years, whose fathers perceived the level of income as bad and whose family had a real estate other than the house they live in and in adults who were female, educated less than 5 years, ever married and unemployed were higher. Health service utilization: in children who were born in Izmir, whose mothers were educated more than 5 years, whose fathers perceived the level of income as bad and whose fathers were employed and had health insurance and in adults who were female, educated more than 5 years, who had health insurance and who had a real estate other than the house they live in were higher. Children who were born in Izmir, whose mothers were educated more than 5 years, whose family had a real estate other than the house they live in and whose fathers were employed were more frequently diagnosed. Adults who were female, unemployed and perceived the level of income as bad were less frequently diagnosed. According to the results of this study, when symptoms (wants), health service utilization (demand) and diagnosed diseases (met demand) are taken into consideration during needs assessment, prioritization and the health planning process, vulnerable groups (less educated, unemployed, uninsured, relatively poor, female, living in worse conditions) among children and adults would be neglected. If health care is guaranteed by the public sector to all as a matter of right, health needs of vulnerable groups should be represented in health planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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