Table 1 Summary of aims and main results of the Health Needs Assessments carried out. Full reports can be downloaded from: http://www.tcd.ie/Community_Health [see reference list for individual report links]
| Â | Tallaght | Finglas | Docklands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | % (95% CI*) | ||
Aims | to assess the health needs of households and their individual members residing in each of the three areas surveyed | ||
Sample size | 420 households 1313 individuals | 420 households 963 individuals | 360 households 699 individuals |
Response rate | 80% | 77% | 75% |
Proportion with a chronic illness (cardiovascular and respiratory disease and arthritis most common) at the time of the survey | 22% (19%–24%) | 31%(28%–34%) | 27% (22%–31%) |
Proportion with disability at the time of the survey | 3% (2%–4%) | 4% (3%–6%) | 3% (2%–4%) |
Psychosocial issues: | Â | Â | Â |
Experienced 'stress' in the 12 months prior to the survey | 59% (54%–65%) | 63% (57%–69%) | 53% (47%–59%) |
Experienced violence in the 12 months prior to the survey | 10% (7%–13%) | 13% (9%–17%) | 11% (7%–15%) |
Anxiety re: teenagers in household | 60% (53%–66%) | 61% (49%–73%) | 64% (47%–81%) |
Problem with drugs/ alcohol | 2% (1%–3%) | 1% (0.4%–2%) | 1% (0.1%–3%) |
Current smokers at the time of the survey | 40% (36%–45%) | 28% (24%–31%) | 32% (27%–38%) |
Womens' Health: | Â | Â | Â |
Using family planning method at the time of the survey | 56% (48%–64%) | 51% (41%–60%) | 46% (36%–56%) |
Cervical smear in the 5 years prior to the survey | 58 (52%–64%) | 52% (43%–61%) | 54% (46%–62%) |
Breast examination in the 5 years prior to the survey | not available | 47% (39%–56%) | 43% (35%–51%) |
Service use: | Â | Â | Â |
Used hospital service in the 12 months prior to the survey | 25% (22%–28%) | 33% (30%–66%) | 24% (20%–29%) |
Attended their GP in the 12 months prior to the survey | 38% (33%–43%) | 57% (54%–60%) | 47% (42%–51%) |
Visited dentist in the 12 months prior to the survey | 15% (11%–18%) | 12% (10%–14%) | 12% (9%–15%) |
On waiting list for health care at the time of the survey | 4% (3%–5%) | 6% (5%–8%) | 4% (2%–5%) |
Identification of services needed†|  |  |  |
Improve out of hours GP care | 52% | 35% | 52% |
Improve services for elderly | Not identified | 36% | 37% |
Social work services | Not identified | Not identified | 25% |
Services for teenagers | 19% | 21% | 14% |
Local maternity service | 47% | Not identified | Not identified |
Health promotion clinics | 24% | 31% | 12% |