Evaluation of Primary Health Care in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Primary health care (PHC) is a new concept in the health field. Its objective is to deliver integrated health service (curative and preventive). The Alama-Ata conference in 1978 urged countries to adopt the PHC approach to promote the health of all people. The expansion of PHC created the need for various types of evaluations (structure process and outcome). The aim, of this study is to assess PHC in Riyadh in terms of structure and outcome. The study was conducted at three PHC centers (A, B & C). The samples of the study included 300 consumers. Two instruments were used to collect data. Instrument I is an assessment sheet measuring resources in terms of availability and quality. Instrument II is a 4 pointlikert scale measuring consumer satisfaction. Validity and reliability were established before data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The results show that the centers' human resources do not measure up to the ideal standards, particularly those in center C. The clinical support areas are under-equipped in centers A and C. The facilities in the three centers are inadequate. The Majority of the consumers studied were female Saudis, illiterates and housewives. The majority of the consumers were satisfied with the services, acid no differences were found between Saudis and non-Saudis.