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Family Practice Vol. 13, No. 4, 382-385
© Oxford University Press 1996

research-article

Socio-economic status, chronic morbidity and health services utilization by families

E Gómez Rodríguez, P Moreno Raymundo, M Hernández Monsalve* and J Gérvas**,

Geafe Area 10, INSALUD, Madrid, Spain
* Alcobendas, Area 5, INSALUD, Madrid, Spain
**Equipo CESCA, Area 5, INSALUD, Madrid, Spain

Correspondence to Dr Gérvas, Equipo CESCA, General Moscardó, 7, 28020 Madrid, Spain.

BACKGROUND.: This study deals with the perception of the burden of chronic morbidity in general practice. A married couple of general practitioners work in two primary health centres in Madrid (Spain), with populations of different socioeconomic status: one deprived, another of medium and high class.

OBJECTIVE.: The couple try to understand their feelings about a higher prevalence and severity of chronic morbidity in the poor district.

METHOD.: A transversal observational study was designed. A total of 119 patients aged 50–70 years were interviewed after the medical encounter. Data were obtained about (i) patients' sociodemographic conditions; (ii) structure and economic status of the families; and (iii) chronic morbidity and health services utilization of family members.

RESULTS.: Families in the deprived district included members of more than two generations in 76.5% of cases (18.8% in the comparison district); 70.3% of the heads of the families (main economic support) were pensioners in the poor district (23.7% in the comparison district); patients in the deprived district have more contacts with the health system and more chronic morbidity; families in the poor area have less expressiveness and cohesion and more irritability and negation.

CONCLUSIONS.: Perceived morbidity in general practice is a mix of social and family problems as well as number and severity of chronic health problems and health services utilization.

Keywords. Socio-economic status, chronic morbidity, families, health services utilization, general practice.


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