ABSTRACT
A survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence and epidemiology of chronic illness in non-institutionalized persons residing in the Municipality of Cape Town. The Black, Coloured and White communities were independently surveyed and the standardized prevalence proportions of chronic illness were 24,7/1 000, 37,4/1 000 and 11,6/1 000 respectively. The epidemiological parameters investigated included age, sex, marital status, income, education occupation and the associated diseases, and the influence of these factors on the prevalence proportions are considered. Methodological problems of chronic illness surveys are discussed.
Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/epidemiology , Accidents , Adolescent , Adult , Black or African American , Age Factors , Aged , Black People , Child , Child, Preschool , Community Health Nursing , Epidemiologic Methods , Female , Humans , Income , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Occupations , Residence Characteristics , Sex Factors , South Africa , White PeopleABSTRACT
A survey was conducted to evaluate the care being received by non-institutionalized chronically ill persons in the Black, Coloured and White communities residing in the Municipality of Cape Town. Of the chronically ill persons identified, 170 (71%) of the Blacks, 188 (62%) of the Coloureds and 43 (86%) of the Whites were receiving care at the time of the survey, and the type, location and duration of this care are outlined. Only 26% of the chronically ill persons were considered to be receiving optimal care, and new recommendations for care were made for 201 (84%) of the Blacks, 203 (67%) of the Coloureds and 36 (72%) of the Whites. Of the patients for whom new recommendations were made, 37% were not currently receiving any care. The financial and occupational repercussions of chronic illness are considered, and methods of improving the comprehensive care of chronically ill persons are discussed.
