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. 2012 Aug 16:11:44.
doi: 10.1186/1475-9276-11-44.

Self-reported chronic diseases and health status and health service utilization--results from a community health survey in Singapore

Pradeep Paul George  1 , Bee Hoon Heng, Joseph Antonio De Castro Molina, Lai Yin Wong, Ng Charis Wei Lin, Jason Tian Seng Cheah
Affiliations

Self-reported chronic diseases and health status and health service utilization--results from a community health survey in Singapore

Pradeep Paul George et al. Int J Equity Health. .

Abstract

Objective: To report the extent of self-reported chronic diseases, self-rated health status (SRH) and healthcare utilization among residents in 1-2 room Housing Development Board (HDB) apartments in Toa Payoh.

Materials & methods: The study population included a convenience sample of residents from 931 housing development board (HDB) units residing in 1-2 room apartments in Toa Payoh. Convenience sampling was used since logistics precluded random selection. Trained research assistants carried out the survey. Results were presented as descriptive summary.

Results: Respondents were significantly older, 48.3% reported having one or more chronic diseases, 32% have hypertension, 16.8% have diabetes, and 7.6% have asthma. Median SRH score was seven. Hospital inpatient utilization rate were highest among Indian ethnic group, unemployed, no income, high self-rated health (SRH) score, and respondents with COPD, renal failure and heart disease. Outpatient utilization rate was significantly higher among older respondents, females, and those with high SRH scores (7-10).

Conclusions: The findings confirming that residents living in 1-2 room HDB apartments are significantly older, with higher rates of chronic diseases, health care utilization than national average, will aid in healthcare planning to address their needs.

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