[Community assessment for identification of problems in Chahestani Region of Bandar-Abbas city]

Community involvement is the most important strategy in development. In health program planning, community assessment is a process in which society members get a thorough understanding of all matters, problems, resources, weaknesses, strengths, needs, and surveillance related to health by collecting, analyzing, and publishing relevant data and information. This study was conducted to identify and prioritize problems of the Chahestani region, a poor region in Bandar-Abbas city, Iran, with active participation of the people.

The study was based on a model designed in North Carolina, US. In this model, the assessment process is performed in eight steps. In the first seven steps problems are identified and prioritized, and in step 8 a plan of action is developed to deal with the problem selected.

A total of 60 problems were identified, of which the following were considered to be top priorities: lack of responsibility of the authorities, insecurity, unemployment, poverty, sewerage disposal, insufficient water, insufficient electricity, unpaved roads, lack of green space, and dirty streets and passages.

Most of the problems identified were non-health problems, including social, cultural, and economic issues.