The Effect of Urbanisation on the Health of Urban Residents

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted throughout the year 2000 to determine the perception of urban residents towards urbanisation in health sector and its effect on their lives. A total of 627 respondents were interviewed using guided questionnaires at 6 locations selected by convenient sampling. Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru represented the cities, Kota Bahru and Langkawi represented the Municipal Council, and Bentong and Kuala Selangor represented the District Council. The study showed that a total of 90.7 percent
respondents have heard of health sector corporatisation. However, only 38.3 percent agreed with the benefits of corporatisation, while only 23 percent agreed that the health sector should be corporatised now. Majority of the respondents (75.9 percent) were of the opinion that corporatisation will increase the service cost and only 1.4 percent felt that it would benefit the workers. If health services have to be corporatised, 35.9 percent respondents suggested that the installment payment scheme be introduced. Only eight percent respondents suggested health insurance scheme. The urban residents also felt that the development of urban facilities that is indirectly due to the effect of urbanisation are satisfactory. However, the advancement of the communication system and the entry of foreigners were perceived to have speeded up the spread of disease. A total of 48.3 percent respondents felt that the use of alternative medicine should be encouraged, while, the wide entry of alternative medicine without restrictions must be strictly prevented. Serious efforts from various parties are needed to increase the knowledge and practice of the urban residents regarding urbanisation in order to achieve the country’s vision to create a knowledgeable society.

ABSTRAK

Kajian secara rentas ini telah dilakukan di sepanjang tahun 2000 untuk menentukan persepsi penduduk bandar terhadap urbanisasi dalam sektor kesihatan dan kesannya terhadap kehidupan mereka. Seramai 627 orang responden telah ditemuduga menggunakan borang soal-selidik secara berpandu di 6 lokasi yang dipilih menurut keselesaan. Kuala Lumpur dan Johor Bahru dipilih mewakili Bandaraya, Kota Bahru dan Langkawi mewakili Majlis Perbandaran dan Bentong dan Kuala Selangor mewakili Majlis Daerah. Kajian mendapati seramai 90.7 peratus responden pernah mendengar tentang pengkorporatan sektor kesihatan. Namun, hanya 38.3 peratus bersetuju tentang kebaikan pengkorporatan itu dan 23.0 peratus bersetuju sektor kesihatan dikorporatkan masa ini. Majoriti berpendapat (75.9 peratus) pengkorporatan akan meningkatkan bayaran perkhidmatan dan hanya 1.4 peratus yang merasakan ia akan dapat memberi imbuhan kepada pekerja. Sekiranya perkhidmatan kesihatan terpaksa dikorporatkan, 35.9 peratus responden mencadangkan agar skim pembayaran ansuran diperkenalkan. Hanya 8 peratus responden telah mencadangkan skim insurans kesihatan. Penduduk bandar juga merasakan bahawa perkembangan prasarana di Bandar, yang secara tidak langsung merupakan kesan urbanisasi adalah memuaskan. Walau bagaimanapun, kecanggihan sistem perhubungan dan kemasukan warga asing dikatakan dapat mempercepatkan penularan penyakit. Sejumlah 48.3 peratus responden merasakan penggunaan perubatan alternatif perlu digalakkan. Walau bagaimanapun, kemasukan ubatan alternatif secara berleluasa tanpa sekatan perlu disekat secara tegas. Usaha bersungguh-sungguh pelbagai pihak sangat diperlukan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan amalan penduduk bandar tentang urbanisasi demi menjayakan wawasan negara.