Abstract
Introduction: To determine the health-related strengths, resources, and needs of a given community, it is necessary to obtain complete and correct information about its healthcare system and the people’s health problems. In this study, we identified and prioritized the health-related problems of the highly disadvantaged Dizaj-e Siavosh community of Urmia, Iran.Materials and Methods: This study was based on the so-called North Carolina Model. In this eight-step model, a community’s health-related problems are identified in the first seven stages. In the eighth stage, an operational plan is developed with the goal of addressing, prioritizing, and solving the identified problems.Results: In this study, 10 different problems were identified, including improper removal of sewage and garbage; involuntary marriage of girls, especially at an early age; the large number of poor households; the lack of continuing education for girls after elementary school; keeping pets without observing principles of health; lack of respect for a 3-year child-bearing interval; a generally poor socioeconomic situation; unemployment; widespread substance abuse; and low level of education for men. These problems were prioritized respectively.Conclusion: Most problems identified in this study were associated with people’s lack of knowledge about health-related issues, which is rooted in low social, cultural, and economic status.
Highlights
To determine the health-related strengths, resources, and needs of a given community, it is necessary to obtain complete and correct information about its healthcare system and the people’s health problems
We identified and prioritized the healthrelated problems of the highly disadvantaged Dizaj-e Siavosh community of Urmia, Iran
All communities are unique in terms of their needs, facilities, resources, and future potential; and an accurate community assessment can produce specific recommendations that are appropriate for each individual community (2)
Summary
To determine the health-related strengths, resources, and needs of a given community, it is necessary to obtain complete and correct information about its healthcare system and the people’s health problems. Community assessment is a process for identifying and understanding health-related problems, based on collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information about a given community’s characteristics, strengths, resources, and needs. This assessment can be conducted by community leaders, public and private health officials, and educational personnel to address questions such as: 1) What are the strengths of the community? In the so-called North Carolina Model, the assessment process focuses on the people living in the community They assume primary responsibility for conducting the assessment at all levels, including the collection and interpretation of data, the evaluation of health resources, the identification of health problems, and the development of strategies to remedy these problems. The community assessment is done by the community, not on the community (7)
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