Hospital morbidity in an urban district in Tunisia

In the health region of Monastir, Tunisia, there is a register of admissions to all public hospitals. Those relating to patients resident in Ksar Hellal District during the year 1995 were identified [N = 1983 admissions to hospital]. This made it possible to establish the population-based pattern of hospital morbidities. The annual hospitalization rate is 6.1%;the rate for patients aged ‘ 65 years is estimated at 13.1%. Chronic diseases are responsible for 31.5% of admissions to hospital and are predominantly diabetes and asthma. The morbidity pattern reflects a phenomenon of epidemiological transition and calls for the strengthening of ambulatory care and development of specific services likely to reduce the need for hospitalization