Gender issue neglected aspect of health promotion in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To identify neglected aspects of primary health care activities and propose effective strategies for better health promotion in Pakistan. METHOD: An observation study was carried out from March-July, 1998 in a low-medium income group in Karachi West in a primary health care set-up. Seventy-three% of female clients were influenced by the advice of male members of the family, 22% followed the directions of elderly female member, 5% availed health services on their own will. The Pakistani female community is influenced strongly by the male members of the family in almost all health related activities