Title : Municipal program for comprehensive care (ProMAI) for older adults in a Mexican rural community
Abstract:
Introduction: Population aging in Mexico poses significant challenges for public health, especially in communities like Xochitepec, Morelos. This municipality has an older adult population comprising 12% of the state's total, facing limited access to healthcare services and high levels of geriatric syndromes. The Municipal Program for Comprehensive Care (ProMAI) was designed to identify the health needs of this population and provide evidence to strengthen effective public policies. The primary objective was to diagnose the main health needs of older adults in the municipality.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, collecting data from eight localities in Xochitepec through a structured questionnaire covering aspects such as sociodemographics, anthropometry, chronic diseases, functionality, frailty, and quality of life. Multidisciplinary teams were trained in measurement and survey techniques for implementation in the municipality of Xochitepec. Data were processed and analyzed using STATA v16.
Results: Of the participants, 67.32% were women, with an average age of 62.58 years. The most prevalent diseases included diabetes (35.62%), dyslipidemia (24.18%), and arthritis (18.3%). Falls in the past year were reported by 39.54%, and 33.44% were not taking any medications, while the rest experienced polypharmacy. Regarding functionality, 32.12% had difficulty climbing stairs. Feelings of loneliness and isolation were reported by 24.25% and 12.96%, respectively. Quality of life was rated as good or very good by 62.13%.
Conclusions: The ProMAI program identified key factors affecting the health of older adults in Xochitepec. The high rates of chronic diseases and functional limitations highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that include health promotion, prevention, and community care. The diagnosis conducted is crucial for guiding public policies tailored to the local context in the municipality of Xochitepec.
