Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Population aging poses growing challenges for healthcare systems, particularly in vulnerable settings where comprehensive care and self-care promotion strategies are needed. Objective: To describe the prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases and assess the reach of a self-care educational program aimed at institutionalized older adults in Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Anonymized clinical and educational records from 346 institutionalized adults aged 65 years and older, collected between April and September 2024, were analyzed. Sociodemographic and morbidity variables were examined using absolute and relative frequencies. Learning coverage was evaluated through practical feedback and immediate verbal responses. Results: Females predominated in the sample (60.12%; n = 208). A high burden of comorbidities was identified, with rheumatoid arthritis (26.58%) and hypertension (18.78%) being the most prevalent conditions. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was lower among individuals older than 80 years (0.28%) compared with those aged 70–74 years (8.38%), suggesting a possible survival bias. In the educational component, 80.63% of participants achieved effective learning coverage; however, men demonstrated lower participation and adoption of self-care practices than women. Conclusions: The institutionalized elderly population exhibited a complex epidemiological profile characterized by a high prevalence of comorbidities. Community engagement programs achieved broad educational coverage, although they should be redesigned using a gender-sensitive approach to improve effectiveness within local contexts.
Source: Innova Science Journal
Author: Evelin Alexandra Zúñiga Sosa
Institution: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225011117