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It is important to know the community perception to health, and how to promote it, based on community health needs assessment. The findings will define the health challenges and the existing community resources to address them through adoption of a strategic plan and by delivering successful services. There is a paucity of research concerning the community needs assessment in UAE. Therefore, the current study is to identify the most common health problems in Dubai, assess the health education needs, the need of implementing new services and recommend appropriate actions to improve them. This study was cross sectional qualitative and quantitative in nature. A sample of 2200 participants aged 18 years and above, local and non-local, males and females were selected from those who attended primary health care centers (PHC), shopping malls, public parks, governmental and private institutions. A convenience sampling method was done in the selected settings, to assure highest response rate and widespread coverage of the community. Data was collected using a structured standard individual interview questionnaire. Piloting of the questionnaire was performed. Results showed that 49% were local, 47% were males, 71% were married, and 80% were with bachelor and higher degree. 35% of participants rated their health as average or bad, 30.3% of them think they have a health problem. Main identified health problems were, joint or back pain 36%, overweight and obesity 25%. Around 50.7% of the participants visited PHC for healthcare support. Perceptions to improve health were as follow, 44.5% of participants suggested to increase screening and wellness programs, 34.1% of them wanted provision of e rehabilitation center and 32.9% wanted to have specialist physicians in PHC settings. Regarding health education provision, 55.5% preferred health campaigns and 31.8 preferred social media communications. Generally, 45% expressed need for chronic disease health education. Clinical services required by participants were as follow, 74% asked for family medicine clinical services and 66% asked for child health services. Around 59.8% reported that the social services could be easily obtained. The study concluded that joints and back pain were the most common health problems, therefore establishing orthopedic clinics and rehabilitation services in PHC were among the priority needs and recommendations. People preferred to get health education through campaigns and social media. Therefore, an increase in the number of health awareness campaigns about chronic disease, routine wellness checkups, child health services, and social support public awareness are needed and recommended.

Healthcare Needs, Community Needs, Community Assets, Health Needs Assets, Primary Health Care (PHC), Dubai Health Authority (DHA)

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