Infectious diseases in primary care

• Published in: Atención primaria Vol. 17; no. 1; p. 64
• Main Authors: Mendive Arbeloa, J M, Vinyoles Bargallo, E, Mata Cases, M, Altaba Barcelo, A M, García Ruiz, F, Salvador González, B, Solsona Díaz, L, Wennberg Rutllant, M P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.01.1996
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Communicable Diseases - classification; Communicable Diseases - epidemiology; Communicable Diseases - microbiology; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Male; Primary Health Care; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - microbiology; Seasons; Spain - epidemiology; Spain
• ISSN: 0212-6567

To find the frequency and seasonal variability of the infectious diseases detected over a year. Observational prospective study. Primary care centre. Simple multi-stage random sampling of the patients over 14 seen on demand at general medical clinics and the Casualty department between June 1991 and May 1992. Out of 49,193 attendances during the study period, the attendance sample was 2,523, of which 474 (18.8%; CI: 17.3-20.3%) were for infectious conditions. Average age of these 474 was 39 (SD: 19.17); 55% were women. Frequency of respiratory infections was 64.1% (CI: 59.8-68.5%). The correlation coefficient between respiratory infections and the total number of infections was 0.94 (R2 = 0.89). The frequency of infections oscillated between 29% (CI: 23-35%) in February and 10% (CI: 5.8-14.5%) in May. Infectious conditions account for a considerable percentage of the total number of primary care attendances. There is a seasonal variation in infections, which is mainly due to respiratory infections.