[The quality of life for people suffering from complex wounds in Cartagena, Colombia].
OBJECTIVE
Estimating the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people suffering complex wounds who were receiving care in an extramural health service provider institution in Cartagena during May-June 2010.


METHODS
This was a quantitative, descriptive study where the population/sample consisted of 93 adults receiving care in an extramural health service provider institution's complex wounds program in the city of Cartagena. A questionnaire regarding socio-demographic characteristics, an observational guide on the characteristics of injuries and the Multicultural Quality of Life Index were used. SPSS 12.0 software was used for the statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Mean age was 59.3 years, females predominated (61.3%), 43.0% were married, 38.7% were housewives, 38.7% had finished primary education, 68.8% came from socioeconomic levels 2 and 3 and 93.5% of the participants had health social security affiliation. Complex wounds were characterised by a greater percentage being in the proliferative phase of healing (80.6%), measuring six to ten inches (63.4%) no infection being reported (85%), no amputation (90.3%) or wound-related pain (52.7%) and presenting physical limitations related to the wound (66.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
People perceived their HRQOL as poor, their low scores highlighting low personal fulfillment, occupational functioning and physical and psychological wellbeing.
Facultad de enfermería, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia. esmelguizo@hotmail.com
Estela
E
Melguizo-Herrera
Adriano A
AA
Díaz-Gómez
Martha
M
Osorio-Lambis
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000523:psychology; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*