Community health service needs assessment in Korea using OMAHA classification system

This study examined the appropriateness of OMAHA Classification System in identifying health service needs and relevant strategies for intervention by public health nurses working in community health centers in Seoul. The face-to-face interview using a questionnaire was used to assess individual and family health needs in the targeted district. Respondents were 4024 persons from 1449 households in one municipal district in Seoul, Korea. Based on OCS, 16 problems were identified including insufficient income and inadequate living space, ineffective communication with community resources, pain, and substance use. Health teaching, guidance and counseling, case management, treatment, and surveillance were identified as interventions for these problems. These results suggest that OCS is appropriate to implement in Korea to plan and organize better nursing interventions for community residents by public health nurses working in health centers. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.