Soc Sci Med. 1989 ; 29(8): 927-32.

Health problems in rural communities, Zimbabwe.

Mutambirwa J.

Medical School, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.

In many communities of the developing world formal health services are introduced without first understanding how the people perceive their health needs, health problems and what they do about them. There is therefore no identification of common bases for integration of the new ideas with the old. This paper presents some of the reasons why dual consultations exist with both modern and traditional health services in Zimbabwean communities. It also presents some strategies for developing patient or client centred health programmes that meet the real and felt needs of people in various communities.