Health status of the population 60 years of age and older in Santiago, Chile, 1993 Condiciones de salud de la población de 60 años y más. Santiago de Chile, 1993.

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 fal