Compliance with preventive practices and detection of risk factors in the adult population on Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and Province of Buenos Aires.

Abstract

Objective: To determine compliance with adequate preventive practices and performance of inappropriate practices. To detect risk factors for health problems.

Material and methods: In July 2019, 1057 people over 15 years of age were surveyed in CABA and GBA using accidental sampling. They were asked about sociodemographic factors and aspects related to the health-disease-care process.

Results: Appropriate preventive practices were reported in a range from 8% to 66%. Advice on healthy eating and physical activity was the most received (66% and 62% respectively); however, both were met only in 13% and 33%. Calendar vaccine had a range of compliance between 47% and 73%, the respiratory ones had the highest noncompliance (range 12-14%). Inadequate practices were reported in a range between 28% to 62%; laboratory work-up (58%), prostate evaluation (62%) and transvaginal ultrasound (41%) were the most relevant. PAP was performed in 61%. The diseases that represent vascular risk factors presented a prevalence from 12 to 25%; 25% responded lack of knowledge about them and 60% to 75% tested blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol values. Regarding toxic habits, 19% smoked a median of 9.5 cigarettes per day and 10% had regular risky alcohol consumption and 23% excessive episodic consumption.

Conclusion: The range of compliance with appropriate practices was wide; however, a wide range was also found in several of the inadequate practices. The compliance figure for vascular risk factor testing was adequate.