SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS, CHRONIC MORBIDITY AND HEALTH-SERVICES UTILIZATION BY FAMILIES

Background. This study deals with the perception of the burden of chro nic morbidity in general practice. A married couple of general practit ioners work in two primary health centres in Madrid (Spain), with popu lations of different socio-economic status: one deprived, another of m edium and high class. Objective. The couple try to understand their fe elings about a higher prevalence and severity of chronic morbidity in the poor district. Method. A transversal observational study was desig ned. A total of 119 patients aged 50-70 years were interviewed after t he medical encounter. Data were obtained about (i) patients' sociodemo graphic conditions; (ii) structure and economic status of the families ; and (iii) chronic morbidity and health services utilization of famil y members. Results. Families in the deprived district included members of more than two generations in 76.5% of cases (18.8% in the comparis on district); 70.3% of the heads of the families (main economic suppor t) were pensioners in the poor district (23.7% in the comparison distr ict); patients in the deprived district have more contacts with the he alth system and more chronic morbidity; families in the poor area have less expressiveness and cohesion and more irritability and negation. Conclusion. Perceived morbidity in general practice is a mix of social and family problems as well as number and severity of chronic health problems and health services utilization.