Use of health care services for an infant population in a poor socio-economic status, multi-ethnic municipality in Melbourne.

Use of preventive and curative health services for a birth cohort of infants is described and related to morbidity patterns and family characteristics. The maternal and child health service provided continuing contact and effective preventive care for the majority of families. However, a small group of families, predominantly recent immigrants with poorer education and inability to speak English, did not use these services effectively. By contrast, medical care for most families was carried out by a number of different doctors in general practices or hospitals. Continuity of care was lacking, with only 30% of families having continued contact with either one practitioner or group practice, and 15% not using any medical services for their infants.