[A preventive medical survey among workers in Quito]

Rev Ecuat Med Cienc Biol. 1976 Jan-Jun;13(1):40-6.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

PIP: A government mobile health team trained in preventive medicine made up of 2 doctors, a nurse, 2 social workers, and a secretary vistied 50 factories in 16 months for the purpose of doing thorough physicals on workers. Blood, urine, stool, and X-ray studies were done. 4374 persons were examined from a possible group of 4900. The number of treatments given as a result of the exams was, however, greater than the number of exams because many cases required prolonged therapy. The patients were of low socioeconomic status and it was found that parasitosis, infection, malnutrition, and anemia were all contributing to their poor state of health. Most of the food they consumed while working lacked vital nutrients and was purchased from open air stalls without any sort of sanitary control. A rather high incidence of syphilis was noted and incidence of TB, though low, was also felt to be noteworth. Most of the illnesses discovered were cardiovascular, pneumonological; ophthalmological, and otorinolaringytic. A need for preventive medical facilities at places of work was evident.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Administrative Personnel
  • Americas
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Developing Countries
  • Ecuador
  • Health
  • Health Facilities
  • Health Services
  • Latin America
  • Mobile Health Units*
  • National Health Programs*
  • Nurses
  • Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Physicians
  • Social Work
  • South America