Suggestions for primary health care improvement on an island in Fiji using results from a utilization study

Abstract

A household interview survey was undertaken in an isolated island (Beqa) in Fiji with 85 households comprising 458 individuals. Using a 2-week recall period, the survey took place in the second and third weeks of July 1986. The aim was to describe the morbidity pattern in order to identify the training needs of Community Workers. Symptoms related to the respiratory and digestive systems accounted for 50% of all the reported symptoms. Of the 73 people who reported at least one symptom, only 42.5% had sought medical care at the health centre.