Analysis on rural residents’needs and utilization of health services in Wudang town

Objective To investigate the rural residents' needs and utilization of health services in Wudang town so as to provide evidence to set policy for health management officials. Methods 808 individuals were surveyed by stratified-cluster random sampling in the rural area in Wudang town.Results The hospitalization rate in two weeks was 19.43%. The rate was higher than the average level in rural areas in China in 1998. 90% patients saw a doctor in two weeks and 70% patients with chronic diseases did it in village and hamlet health clinic. Conclusion Most of residents saw a doctor in village and hamlet health clinic. So community health service should be strengthened and new cooperative medical service should be developed according to corresponding situation by the local health management officials.