eISSN: 2449-8580
ISSN: 1734-3402
Family Medicine & Primary Care Review
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SCImago Journal & Country Rank
4/2021
vol. 23
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Disease awareness as a barrier to health service admittance. An alternative health care model based on population needs

Gustavo H. Marin
1, 2
,
Pablo Vetere
1
,
Lupe Marin
1
,
Lucia Giangreco
1
,
Gladys Garcia
1
,
Gina Marin
1
,
Juan Alconada-Magliano
1
,
Maria Laura Ferrero
1
,
Marcelo Bourgeois
1
,
Maria Gabriela Madonia
1
,
Virginia Moran
1
,
Aylen Jáuregui
1
,
Aldo Madeo
1
,
Silvina Gygli
1
,
Cloe Marin
1
,
Laura Soibelzon
1
,
Eduardo Martinez
1
,
Patricia Rivadulla
1
,
Maria Raffaeli
1
,
Daniela Sbatella
1
,
Jorge Agueda
1
,
Griselda Haag
1
,
Ricardo Wright
1
,
Adriana Arinavarreta
1

1.
Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
2.
CONICET – National Scientific and Technical Research Council, La Plata, Argentina
Family Medicine & Primary Care Review 2021; 23(4): 452–458
Online publish date: 2021/12/30
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Background
Knowing how health problems are perceived is an element of primary importance for health systems, since it is the first step for the population to recognize a disease and demand medical attention.

Objectives
To develop and evaluate the implementation of a new healthcare model adapted to the necessities and illness self-perception of a community in the urban area of ​​Greater La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Material and methods
The community’s self-rated general health status and illness self-perception were explored by a survey, followed by an intervention study performed on 2,430 participants randomly divided in 2 groups (Intervention: received personalized home health care; Control: health care was provided from hospitals and primary care health services).

Results
Almost 70% of the participants were satisfied with their health status. In cases where a disease was detected; older people and men shown to perceive their illness later compared to women and young adults. Only 21% of the population had suitable access to a health service. Compared with the Control Group, regular and personalized home visits significantly improved treatment adherence (43% vs 94%), reduced annual undesirable events (stroke, myocardial infarcts, etc.) associated to chronic diseases (2.7% vs 1.2%) and lowered hospitalization rates (2.9% vs 2.0%).

Conclusions
The data obtained showed that the population had low illness awareness, which reduced the spontaneous demand of care in health services. A model of health care based on regular home visits demonstrated efficacy in terms of disease prevention, illness control, avoiding consequences of chronic disease and reducing hospitalizations.

keywords:

health services needs and demand, disease, awareness, delivery of health care, needs assessment

 
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