University-community contribution in the quality of life of the elderly

• Main Authors: Magaly Gort Hernández, Mayda Magdalena García Parodi, Daisy Mesa Trujillo, Yairelys Espinosa Ferro, Ana Iris Verona Izquierdo
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: ECIMED 2019-06-01
• Series: Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río
• Subjects: participacion de la comunidad; anciano; calidad de vida; atención integral de salud; salud mental.
• Online Access: http://www.revcmpinar.sld.cu/index.php/publicaciones/article/view/4014

Introduction:  the community and the university have a direct, bilateral and indissoluble relationship associated with the historical-social development of nations, and within the current problems of society, aging of the population is one of them. Objective: to show the results of the university-community contribution in the quality of life of the elderly, from 2016 to 2018 in Los Palacios municipality. Methods: qualitative-quantitative research with a first descriptive-evaluative part and interventions of the university in the community, and a second part, evaluation of results. The target group was comprised of 41 doctors’ offices of the territory and a population of old adults of 7 847 people. The SWOT matrix (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), was applied and problems were prioritized applying the ranking method. Results: the participation of the teaching staff and old adults who were residents in three Chairs of seniors and underwent in periodic health examinations were achieved at 113 %, training and diploma courses were taught, related to the elderly. A 6 % reduction in mortality rate was general achieved in old adults and in four of the five diseases traced and treated in the Intensive Municipal Area; the community projection in the 22 medical specialties that included the teaching of educational activities given by the Basic Health Teams. Conclusions: the university-community contribution in Los Palacios has developed a participative culture and style that involves the integrated action of social actors, in a promotional attitude for the improvement of the quality of life of the elderly.