Older adults frailty in Primary Health Care: a geoprocessing-based approach

Abstract This paper aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of older adults’ frailty in primary health care, spatially identifying areas with a concentration of seniors, comparing the demand for care. This is an analytical study that employed spatial analysis with older adults who are frail or at risk of frailty enrolled in Primary Health Care, distributed in 32 census tracts. Concerning geolocation, we used Google Earth Pro software and “C7 GPS Data app”, to elaborate the thematic and cadastral maps Qgis 2.16. In total, 43% of seniors were classified as at risk of frailty, of which 79.5% were female, with a mean age of 75 years. The organization of the services showed an unequal distribution of the facilities in the territory, and the three health care settings present or not in some tracts and the concentration of older adults where services were difficult to access. The spatial analysis pointed out the distribution and concentration areas of frailty, favoring the comparison of social vulnerability with the possible care of health services, supporting planning actions and management of the distribution of establishments or projects to visit those in need. Thus, geoinformation tools can strengthen access to health services and provide better living conditions for seniors.

摘要 本研究旨在分析基层医疗卫生服务（Primary Health Care）中老年人衰弱的空间分布特征，精准定位老年人群聚集区域，并对比其照护需求。本研究为分析性研究，纳入基层医疗卫生机构登记的衰弱或衰弱风险老年人群体，该群体分布于32个普查区内。在地理定位环节，本研究使用Google Earth Pro软件与「C7 GPS Data app」，结合QGIS 2.16制作专题地图与地籍地图。总计43%的老年人被归类为衰弱风险人群，其中79.5%为女性，平均年龄为75岁。研究发现，辖区内医疗设施分布存在不均衡性：部分普查区仅部分设置或未设置三类医疗服务点位，同时存在老年人群聚集却难以获取医疗服务的区域。空间分析明确了衰弱的分布与聚集区域，可实现社会脆弱性与医疗服务可及性的对比分析，可为规划制定、医疗机构布局优化或针对有需求人群的走访帮扶项目提供决策支持。综上，地理信息工具可有效强化医疗服务可及性，助力改善老年人的生活质量。