Gómez-Correa Jaime A, Agudelo-Suárez Andrés A, Ronda-Pérez Elena
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Rev Salud Publica (Bogota). 2008 Nov-Dec;10(5):706-15. doi: 10.1590/s0124-00642008000500003.
Recyclers in the city of Medellin (Colombia) are social groups having a long-standing tradition; many of them have worked in informal economy sectors. This study was aimed at analysing their economic and social situation, health profile and health service accessibility (i.e. for a recycler group and their families).
A descriptive study was carried out by means of socioeconomic characterisation surveys of recyclers and relatives (515) and 174 medical examinations. The variables were described by age and gender. The area being studied was the locality of Guayaquil (Medellín) and its recyclers who accepted participating in the study.
71.6 % of the population being analysed inhabited lower and middle-lower class neighbourhoods; most were young people. The main household organisation consisted of living with a partner and marriage (83 %), having 5.3 +/- 2.7 people per family. 42 % were living in conditions of poverty (1-2 dollars per day income). Respiratory (32.5 %) and diarrheic infections (10.5 %) were reported. Medical examination revealed chronic diseases (47.1 %), nervous system and sense organ diseases (20.1 %). 37 % had no health insurance.
The recyclers and their relatives were living in deficient social conditions. Public health action for the benefit of this group is required by means of generating employment, increasing health insurance cover and promoting specific health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
麦德林市（哥伦比亚）的回收者是有着悠久传统的社会群体；他们中的许多人曾在非正规经济部门工作。本研究旨在分析他们的经济和社会状况、健康状况以及获得卫生服务的情况（即针对一个回收者群体及其家庭）。
通过对回收者及其亲属进行社会经济特征调查（515人）以及174次医学检查开展描述性研究。变量按年龄和性别进行描述。研究区域为瓜亚基尔（麦德林）地区及其同意参与研究的回收者。
接受分析的人群中有71.6%居住在中下阶层社区；大多数是年轻人。主要的家庭构成是与伴侣同住及已婚（83%），每户家庭平均有5.3±2.7人。42%的人生活在贫困状况下（日收入1至2美元）。报告了呼吸道感染（32.5%）和腹泻感染（10.5%）。医学检查发现慢性病（47.1%）、神经系统和感官疾病（20.1%）。37%的人没有健康保险。
回收者及其亲属生活在社会条件匮乏的状况下。需要通过创造就业、增加健康保险覆盖范围以及推广特定的健康促进和疾病预防策略，采取有利于该群体的公共卫生行动。
