Determination of health care expectations among Navajo consumers: Consumers in a federal care system

A sample of 271 Navajo respondents were interviewed by Navajos to assess their attitudes toward major health problems on the reservation and problems with the health service they were receiving. Health problems identified were primarily disease states such as alcoholism and upper respiratory tract infections. Approximately one fifth of the respondents identified environmental health problems as well. Difficulties with health services focused on prolonged waiting times, misplaced records, shortages of staff, and inadequate interpretation. The survey represents a first step in developing an effective means of communicating with consumers, particularly when the cultures of the consumers and providers arc quite distinct.