REALPE DELGADO, Cecilia et al. ACCESS TO THE HYPERTENSION PROGRAM IN THE GENERAL SOCIAL WELFARE HEALTH SYSTEM, 2008. []. , 13, 1, pp.195-209. ISSN 0121-7577.

This paper presents the results of a research to evaluate the access of hypertensive users to the activities of the Promotion and Prevention Programs. This evaluative study was carried out through interviews applied to a population of 403 hypertensive patients selected at random out of three Health Promotion Entities (EPS by its initials in Spanish), four Institutions of Social Protection Health Promotion Centers (EPSS), the Health Secretary, and the people responsible for the programs and professionals from these institutions. Univariated and multivariate analyses were carried out, in order to construct three sets of patients. In Manizales, hypertensive patients have an average age of 69.7 years and 55.6% are male. Access to the hypertension program was characterized by the fact that the program is based on the norm, with some differences among institutions, such as the existence of clubs and educational strategies. Potential access to hypertensive patients is guaranteed, but the provision of medications and the opportunity to have appointments with specialists were found to be deficient. Hypertensive patients attend their individual check-ups, but their absence in group activities affects the integrality of the program. They justify their absence with lack of offers of the program, lack of time, and economic problems. Most users find the control session attention satisfactory.

: Access; hypertension; health promotion; prevention.

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