Social determinants of health in the largest adult population of San Nicolás de Coro district

Abstract

The presented research proposes as an object of study the analysis of the social determinants that influence the health of the older adult population of the San Nicolás de Coro neighborhood, Falcón state. The study was configured in the Master of Management of Research and Development of the Central University of Venezuela. The research was of descriptive, transectional and field type since the data was collected directly from the studied reality. A sample of 83 older adults of both sexes was used. For the data collection, the structured interview and the questionnaire were used as a technique, which consisted of two parts and structured by 74 items with simple selection questions. The final instrument was designed by the researcher after the observations of three experts who guaranteed the content validity, while the reliability was obtained after obtaining a Crombach’s alpha of 0.8325. For  the analysis and presentation of the data, the univariate descriptive statistics was used. The importance of the study lies in evidencing the need to implement public policies in favor of the older adult population. As a result, it was determined that the older adult population has minimal opportunities for access to health and greater vulnerability conditions. It was concluded that the characteristics of the social determinants of health in the older adult population of the San Nicolás de Coro neighborhood show the deficiency of the health system, the weakness of social policies aimed at the elderly population, a socially unassisted population and of health.