Características y manejo de la morbilidad en Santiago 1993 / Characteristics and management of morbidity in Santiago 1993

ABSTRACT

Results of morbidity and medical care surveys of the Santiago's population are presented in this paper. A randomsample of 1.000 dwellings with 4.700 people was selected and studied 3 times, in 1993 and 1994. All health events (acute and chronic morbidity, health examinations, dental care) and main features of medical care were registered in the interviews which covered a 2 week period each time. The population sample had similar characteristics than the results of the last Population and Dwellings Chilean Census. Health events were registered with high frequency 56 percent of the families had one or more members with chronic disease; 51 percent with acute disease; 46 percent with emotional troubles; 24 percent had dental care; 17 percent health examination and 6 percent different types of injuries. Frequency of medical care during the fortnight period was 5.6 percent out of total population of acute disease; 1.0 percent of injuries; 4.9 percent for chronic diseases, 3.9 percent of health examination and 5.6 percent of dental care. Frequency of diseases was significantly higher among women (50 percent) than in men (33 percent) and in poor people than in higher socioeconomic levels. Most of the acute disease were repiratory illnesses followed by communicable diseases, skin troubles and rheumatologic disorders. The most important detected chronic diseases were blood hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma and alcoholic addiction. Self care was present in the remaining 39.1 percent. Ratio of patients with medical care was 49.6 percent of acute patients, 49,2 percent of injuries and 29.8 percent of chronic diseases. Main reasons or defects in the medical care system. The public sector gave medical care to 33.2 percent of the patients and was present in 39 percent out of total medical care of acute diseases; 45.4 percent of chronic diseases and 69.9 percent of injuries