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The community diagnosis is based
on collection and interpretation of relevant
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data such as: (a) age and sex
distribution of a population; and the distribution of
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population by social groups; (b)
vital statistical rates such as the birth rate, and
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death rates; (c) the incidence
and prevalence of diseases of the area. In addition a
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doctor must be able to find
information on a wide variety of social and economic
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factors that may assist him/her
in making a community diagnosis. The focus is on
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identification of the basic
health needs and health problems of the community. The
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needs as felt by the community
(some of which may have no connection at all with
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health) should be next
investigated and listed according to the priority for community
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In the community treatment or in
community health action, steps are taken
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to meet the health needs of the
community by integrating the total account of
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resources available and what the
people want in the process of community
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diagnosis. The actions of
community health are reflected in terms of water supply,
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immunization, health education,
prevention of specific disease, health rights, health
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legislations or interventions.
Action may be taken at three levels: at the level of
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individual, at the level of
family, and at the level of community.
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A programme of community action
must have the following characteristics:
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• It must utilize all the
available resources
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• It must coordinate the efforts
of all other agencies in the community, now
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termed as inter-sectoral
coordination
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• It must encourage the
full participation of the community in the programme.
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