Assessing health status and service utilization in Athens: the implications for policy and planning

Abstract

Morbidity, subjective health and health care utilization were studied in two populations, living in two municipalities in the major area of Athens, characterized by different socio-economic and educational levels. In each area studied, a random household sample was selected. All subjects in the selected households aged 15 and over were included in the study. A total of 248 individuals in area I and 303 individuals in area II responded to the survey. Data were collected through personal interviews arranged for each respondent. The results of the study suggest that there exist similar trends as well as some differences between the two populations studied, concerning mainly subjective health and the use of drugs. These findings indicate that a morbidity and health care utilization survey carried out in a large and representative sample of inhabitants of the major Athens area could be a sufficient basis for rational health planning in every municipality of the metropolitan area.