Prevalence of degenerative chronic illnesses in users of a Family Health Unit of Jequié-BA - doi:10.5020/18061230.2007.p92

Abstract

The present study had as objective to verify the prevalence of the main degenerative chronic illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, arthropaties, cancer and arteriovenous illnesses) in users of a Family Health Unit (FHU) of the city of Jequié -BA. It was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 101 adults ?18 years old, registered and proportionally distributed among the seven micro areas of FHU, being 75 (74.0%) female. From the collected data in domicile and citizens’ given information by means of a questionnaire, the prevalence of chronic illnesses was calculated in its total and by sex. The differences between sexes were verified using the chi-square test and the Fisher accurate test, with a significance level of 5%. The age of the individuals varied from 18 to 88 years old (39.9±18.5 years old), being 57% with age of 18 to 39 years old, 83% with low schooling and 68% with active occupation. Amongst the participants of the study, 40% reported presence of some type of chronic illness. The percentages of people bearing hypertension, diabetes and arthropaties were 29%, 4% and 18%, respectively; thore was not any case of cancer and only 2% related arteriovenous illnesses. There were no statistical differences between the sexes in relation to the prevalence of any illness. New studies with associations between diverse variables are suggested, so that it might be possible to develop a better understanding of factors that tend to influence in the determination of degenerative chronic illnesses.