TERRITORIAL DISPARITY IN THE PREVENTIVE MEDICINE EXAMINATION IN RURAL POPULATION OF THE ARAUCANÍA REGION, CHILE

Abstract

Objective: To describe aspects of the health condition of the rural population, aged 15 years and older, and determine whether diferences exist according to geographical location. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using a cross-sectional design. An anonymized database of Preventive Medicine Examinations (PME), performed between the years 2011 and 2015, and provided by a Municipal Health Department of a municipality in the Araucanía Region, southern Chile, was analyzed. Descriptive and comparative analysis of biodemographic variables, cardiometabolic indicators and functionality parameters was carried out in 3 geographical areas. Stratification varied according to gender and age groups. The protocol was authorized by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Universidad de La Frontera. Results: The main results of the analysis of 1418 records show high prevalence of malnutrition due to excess in the 3 areas, with women being the most afected. Malnutrition due to deficit is observed in older adults, and it is higher in the older age groups. The Coastal area presented better cardiometabolic indicators, the Precordillera area (pre-mountain range) presented greater dyslipidemia, but a lower proportion of altered cognitive impairment. The risk of dependency was similar in the 3 areas. Conclusions: There are variations in health indicators in the rural territory of a municipality with very different geographical characteristics, but which are close to each other. More studies are required to determine the nature of the differences in health indicators in such close areas.