[Dependence on self-care and walking of the aged in a rural community].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the dependence on 5 basic daily activities (BDA) and on walking, and their relationship to the frequency of attendance at the family doctor.


METHODS
A crossover study using a home survey of health.


METHODS
Town of Villanueva de los Castillejos in Huelva.


METHODS
Those 65 or over.


METHODS
The dichotomous form of the Katz Index, with the incontinence item excluded (scores from 0-5), was used. Walking was assessed by the Functional Walking Categories (FWC) of Massachusetts General Hospital.


RESULTS
Information on 139 men and 231 women was obtained (85.6% of the actual population). 15.3% (95% CI, 11.3-19.0), 12.4% of the men and 16.9% of the women (p > 0.05), stated their dependence in one or more BDA. 22.5% of the population (95% CI, 18.2-26.8), 8.9% of the men and 30.6% (p = 0.001) of the women, said they found it difficult to walk.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high rate of dependence in the population group. Light dependence is associated with more frequent medical consultations than either independence or severe dependence.
Valderrama Gama
E
E
Departamento de Epidemiología y Bioestadística, Escuela Nacional de Sanidad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid.
Rodríguez Artalejo
F
F
Gabarre Orús
P
P
Palacios Díaz
A
A
Pérez del Molino Martín
J
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012424:Rural Population; D012648:Self Care; D016138:Walking
Dependencia en el autocuidado y deambulación en los ancianos de una comunidad rural.