Pattern of services utilization in two communities in Basrah: a household survey

ABSTRACT

A household interview survey was carried out in Basrah during the period March-April 1995. It was planned to provide indicators on selected aspects of population health. In this paper, selected indicators on services utilization are presented and discussed. The study revealed relatively low coverage rates by antenatal care for pregnant women [47.4%] with primary health care centers being the main source for such care [78.4%]. However, the percentages of women who were hospital delivered and supervised by medically qualified personnel were fairly high 65.5% and 75.4% respectively. The same was true for immunizations despite the clear drop out of infants from successive doses. Primary health care centers seemed to be the main source of curative care [29.7%] but doing nothing or practicing self-medication were prevailing in this population