[Coverage of preventive health activities in a Chilean region, calculated using the preventive medicine index].
BACKGROUND
Preventive activities of the public health system in Chile are not integrated and there is no parameter assessing the whole population that is benefited with these activities.


OBJECTIVE
To develop and implement a mathematical measure of the coverage of preventive health activities, provided to different age groups.


METHODS
Data was gathered from the monthly statistical reports of the women, children, teenager, adult and elderly health programs in 30 communities of the Seventh Chilean Region. The preventive medicine index (PMI) was calculated as the ratio between the population that was ascribed to each program and the population that was a potential beneficiary of such program.


RESULTS
In the studied region, the global coverage of preventive medicine, calculated using the PMI, increased from 0.229 in 1999 to 0.370 in 2003. This represents a 61% increment. However, there are important inequalities in the access to preventive health in the different communities of the region.


CONCLUSIONS
The PMI revealed a substantial increment in preventive health activities in the studied region.
Baechler R
Roberto
R
Departamento de Epidemiología e Información para la Gestión, Servicio de Salud del Maule, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad Católica del Maule. rbaechler@ssmaule.cl
Barra R
Marcela
M
Soto P
Alex
A
D002677:Chile; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006308:Health Systems Plans; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*