HEALTH DECISION-MAKING IN WOMAN’S INFORMAL CARETAKERS

Abstract

A descriptive and cross sectional study whose aim is to determine the biosociodemographic characteristics and making health decisions variables in informal women’s caretakers in Hualqui, Chile. The purposeful sample was 55 women (62% of the universe) to which two instruments were applied: a biosociodemographic questionnaire and decisional support needs of valuation questionnaire at community level, based on the Pattern of Ottawa of O’Connors. For data tabulation and descriptive analysis, SPSS was used. The main results were: care is carried out by women between 41 and 64 years, with incomplete elementary education that 43% of chronic illnesses; their main decision-making conflicts regarding health refer to have to continue or not on healing and preventive behaviours, for the need of being well to take care of others.