A multidisciplinary approach to improving women's health in semi-urban Ecuador.
OBJECTIVE
To examine women's reasons for seeking care at The Quito Project (TQP), a student-led organization that aims to improve the health, education, and well-being of a semi-urban community in Quito, Ecuador, and to explore the need for additional preventative interventions.


METHODS
An oral survey was administered to 86 adult patients in 2008. We also completed a chart review to evaluate patient demographics and medical conditions.


RESULTS
Sixty-three (73.3%) survey respondents were female. Nearly three-quarters of the women reported an income below the minimum wage; 60% reported that the cost of medical care posed a burden. Fifty-two percent sought care at TQP because the services were free. Additionally, 77% of women reported going to the doctor only when ill and did not access preventative services.


CONCLUSIONS
By offering medical, dental, and tutoring services, along with preventative health workshops, TQP addresses established barriers to achieving adequate women's health. Survey results have reinforced TQP's focus on prevention.
Yancon
Andrea R
AR
University of Michigan Medical School, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
Kelly
Sean G
SG
Valsangkar
Bina
B
Iyengar
Preetha
P
Malani
Preeti N
PN
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D004484:Ecuador; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*