[Comparative study of normal and over-users of a health center].

OBJECTIVE

To compare normal users (NU) and over-users (OU), examining social and demographic features, family characteristics, presence of psychological problems or family dysfunction and the existence of chronic pathologies.

DESIGN

An observational crossover study, lasting one year (1994).

SETTING

Health centre.

PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Randomised sampling of 12,092 patients > 14 years old. OU (n = 260) was defined as someone who had a percentage point for attendance without an appointment at the Centre, excluding bureaucratic reasons, of above 75%; and NU (n = 260), in the 25 and 75% band. 65 individuals (240 OU and 225 NU) took part.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Average age of OU was higher than that of NU. 88 OU (36.7%) finished their education above primary level, whereas 115 NU (51.1%) did so (OR 1.81). 37.5% OU (90) belonged to small families, against 24.9% NU (56). 34.6% OU (83) were in an advanced family vital cycle, against 24% NU (54. 26.7% OU (64) and 17.8% NU (40) had psychological problems. There was family dysfunction in 32 OU (13.3%) and 23% NU (10.2%). 186 OU (77.5%) had some chronic pathology, against 96 NU, of whom 70.3% OU and 87.2% NU attended appointments arranged to monitor these pathologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Over-use of our health centre is related to being older, a low level of education, belonging to small families in an advanced vital cycle, having psychological problems, suffering chronic pathologies and not attending appointments when they are arranged.