Jaya Earnest|Robert P. Finger
General health in Timor?Leste: self?assessed health in a large household survey
Curtin University
timorleste one worlds newest nations became democracy 2002 ranked 150 177 2007 undp human development index country worst health indicators asiapacific region objective study collect analyse data subjectively assessed general health health service use migration mobility patternsthe data collection involved recording selfreported status general health using structured questionnaire survey administered 1213 timorese households six districts using multistage random cluster sampling procedure basic descriptive statistical analyses performed variables spss version 13more quarter 27 respondents reported health problem time survey approximately half respondents assessed health good 53 average 38 barriers reported uptake healthcare services felt needed difficulty accessing services unavailability serviceresults reveal timorleste needs decentralised provision healthcare primary healthcare centres integrated health services trained traditional healers familiar difficult terrain understand cultural contexts barriers used improve uptake public health services adult literacy community health education program needed improve extremely poor health indicators countrykey lessons emerged importance understanding cultural mechanisms areas protracted conflict need integrated health services communities