UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To understand the demands and influencing factors on the community-based health care service (CHS) among the elderly and to provide evidence of implementing health service for them

METHODSCluster sampling method was used on 717 persons aged 60 and above in Yanjiao Developing Area. A survey was carried out, using questionnaire and focus group discussion approaches.

RESULTSData showed that a two-week prevalence of diseases was 56.3% while the overall prevalence of chronic diseases was 92.1% with 70.0% of them suffering from more than two kinds of chronic diseases. The rates of ADL and IADL loss were 1.8% and 7.0% respectively with 37.0% of them sought medical consultation in the past two weeks. Major reason affecting the use of health service was low income. 57.7% of the elderly expressed their willingness of accepting CHS with the strongest demands as regular physical check-up, health education and consultation, specialized care services, home care service while major reasons hindering the acceptance of CHS could be referred to self-perception on good stamina and lack of awareness to CHS.

CONCLUSIONThe demands of CHS in the elderly were greater than those in general population that called for CHS programs to be acceptable and relevant to meet the different needs.