[Nurse care in primary health care: diagnosis and follow-up of health problems]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the results of nursing staff putting into practice a number of health prevention and promotion schemes, with particular emphasis on the follow-up of the health problems detected.

Design: A crossover study. SITE. A care unit of the Sant Just Desvern Primary Care team.

Patients: A total of 136 people were seen. 58% were men and 42% women. Their average age was 39.30 +/- 16.

Main measurements and results: The risk factors found were: tobacco, alcohol, exercise, arterial tension, cholesterol, weight, dental and oral hygiene, gynecological check-ups, self-examination of breasts and anti-tetanus, German measles and flu vaccinations. Using the clinical records it was found that 42.64% were smokers; 1.58% were alcoholics and 20.63% consumed an excessive amount of alcohol; 47.58% were sedentary; 17.09% were diagnosed with dyslipaemia; and 1.58% with hypertension. After the intervention, 18.96% gave up smoking and 14.28% of excessive drinkers managed to stop. 76.47% of women advised to attend the gynaecologist did so. 89.61% of patients completed the series of anti-tetanus vaccinations.

Conclusions: The favorable response of the population to a periodic health check-up should be emphasised. The changes in life-style brought about after the detection and subsequent follow-up of health problems was extremely positive.