[Indicators for evaluating social problems in daily health care practice].
OBJECTIVE
To define some social indicators which allow the social problems of primary care patients to be studied.


METHODS
A descriptive, crossover study.


METHODS
A health district with a socially depressed urban population.


METHODS
Consecutive sampling of 403 patients.


RESULTS
Social risk factors were standardised in function of these criteria: economic, cultural, family, housing, old age and social margination. From these some social indicators were identified, with which a questionnaire with a person-to-person interview was filled in and then the clinical records reviewed. 35% of patients had social problems. We found no connection with gender or age. Pathologies related to the existence of social problems were: mental disorders, infectious diseases, liver and digestive diseases and ill-defined symptoms and signs. There were also more out-patient visits and hospital stays by patients with social problems.


CONCLUSIONS
An active search for social problems reveals a much higher occurrence than expected. The finding of a connection between the existence of social problems and determined psychological and organic pathologies could assist the patient's diagnosis and treatment.
Grau Bartomeu
J
J
ABS Raval-Sud. CAP Drassanes, Barcelona.
Romea Lecumberri
S
S
Franch Nadal
J
J
Sánchez Pérez
M
M
Ruiz Cabello
C
C
Fuertes Abad
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012940:Social Problems / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population
Indicadores para valorar la problemática social en la práctica diaria asistencial.