Tendencias de dos indicadores del efecto de la atencion primaria en Colombia

Abstract

A study was made of changes in overall mortality and pregnancies brought to term in areas served by health promoters during the period 1978-1982 to evaluate the impact of primary health care in the country. In Colombia the health promoter is the link between the health service delivery system and the community; her present functions comprise care of persons, promotion of environmental hygiene, health education, and administrative support. The pricipal findings were a high coincidence between the causes of death recorded by health promoters and those recorded by physicians; a slight decrease in the contribution of deaths of infants under one year to general mortality; no reduction of fetal mortality and an increase in deliveries attended by health personnel. It is recommended that this study be complemented by studies of other health, social and economic indicators, that the functions of the health promoter be confined to a smaller number of activities--directed particularly at the mother and child and supported by the entire health system--and that a uniform and practical classification for the registration of mortality and morbidity data be adopted for use by nonmedical personnel throughout the country