Assessing Health Indicators Trend in Rural Population of East Azerbaijan

​Background and Objectives : In 1975, Iran started the rural health workers (Behvarz) training project in West Azerbaijan province with World Health Organization (WHO) cooperation. In 1977, the government accepted primary health care (PHC) as a main policy to develop the health system. Health indicators in rural population are calculable using Vital Horoscope. This study was designed for assessment of health indicators in rural population of East Azerbaijan. Material and Methods : In this retrospective-analytic study, the rural health indicators were extracted from vital horoscope during 1368-1388. Ten indicators about reproductive health, child mortality and environmental health were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. For assessment of dispersion of the indicators, we used standard deviation for neonatal death rate and unskilled attendance at delivery. Results: In the study period, the crude birth rate was decreased from 35.7 per 1000 to 18.36 /1000. Total fertility rate was 5.76 in 1367 and was declined to 1.93 in 1388. The birth attended by unskilled personnel with a sharp decrease reached to 0.77% from 46.26%. The neonatal mortality decreased from 21.8 in 1000 live births in 1367 to 8.12 in 1388. The 1-12 months children death rate was 31.4 in 1000 and was declined to 4.6. The under 5 year old mortality rate was reached to 2.5 in 1388 from 9.8 in 1367. In 1388, 15.23 of under 5 year old children died in 1000 live births, 8.12 died during neonatal period, 4.6 and 2.45 during infantile and 1-5 year old period, respectively. Conclusion : This study showed that health indicators were improved which is the sign of effectiveness of Primary Health Care programs. Changes in health needs and epidemiological transitions make it necessary to review and reform the PHC content according to new challenges.