Health Status and Demographic Characteristics of Patients Attending a Primary Care Unit in Mexico City: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Aims: To understand the Health Statuts and Demographic Characteristics of Patients Attending, in the primary care setting. Study Design:  A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. Place and Duration of Study: Ambulatory Care Medical Unit. The study was conducted from July 1st to October 31st, 2024, with Mexican patients attending the Family Medicine Speciality outpatient consultation at the Family Medicine Clinic “División del Norte”, in Mexico City, from January 1st, 2022 to December 31st, 2022. Methodology: Data on health and sociodemographic variables were collected through a retrospective design, using the Medical Financial Information System “SIMEF system” (Sistema de Información Médico Financiero by its acronym in Spanish). Results: The population pyramid is characterized by being of regressive type, with a higher proportion of adults over 60 years old and women. The leading causes of medical attention according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) were for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism, and obesity (due to excess calories), and for communicable diseases (CD): COVID-19, acute pharyngitis, urinary tract infection, infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, and acute tonsillitis. Conclusion: The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients in this study highlight the complex landscape of distinct temporal trends for each NCDs and CDs. Understanding these trends, evidence-based decisions on resource planning and preventive measures can be improved. Proactively aligning resources with anticipated seasonal peaks, and implementing targeted health campaigns, that can improve patient care and alleviate pressures on healthcare systems during high-demand.