ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of health events perceived by the population over 60 years of age in Santiago de Chile, to obtain information for health care programs tailored to needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During November and December 1993, a health survey was carried out in a sample of 4,700 individuals in 1,000 households randomly selected within twelve communities of Santiago de Chile. Medical students were trained as interviewers to apply a structured questionnaire to obtain health events occurring in the previous 15 days, including acute and chronic conditions, accidents, medical and dental care. RESULTS: Fifty one per cent of subjects reported health events: acute illness (6.1%), accidents (1.5%), dental care (5.4%), chronic diseases (47.5%), or physical check-up (1.5%). The most frequent chronic diseases were found to be hypertension and diabetes; as for acute illnesses, upper respiratory infections and diarrhea were the most frequent. Accidents commonly reported were falls and burns. The number of episodes was greater in women and in the older age group. Acute illnesses were more frequent in the lower income groups, while dental care and health check-up were common in the highest socioeconomic levels. The proportion of bed-ridden individuals was 0.9% and 1.9% among older individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show the frequency of disability in this population by sex and age group and suggest that elderly people are independent and active.
