RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare normal users (NU) and over-users (OU), examining social and demographic features, family characteristics, presence of psychological problems or family dysfunction and the existence of chronic pathologies. DESIGN: An observational crossover study, lasting one year (1994). SETTING: Health centre. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Randomised sampling of 12,092 patients > 14 years old. OU (n = 260) was defined as someone who had a percentage point for attendance without an appointment at the Centre, excluding bureaucratic reasons, of above 75%; and NU (n = 260), in the 25 and 75% band. 65 individuals (240 OU and 225 NU) took part. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Average age of OU was higher than that of NU. 88 OU (36.7%) finished their education above primary level, whereas 115 NU (51.1%) did so (OR 1.81). 37.5% OU (90) belonged to small families, against 24.9% NU (56). 34.6% OU (83) were in an advanced family vital cycle, against 24% NU (54. 26.7% OU (64) and 17.8% NU (40) had psychological problems. There was family dysfunction in 32 OU (13.3%) and 23% NU (10.2%). 186 OU (77.5%) had some chronic pathology, against 96 NU, of whom 70.3% OU and 87.2% NU attended appointments arranged to monitor these pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: Over-use of our health centre is related to being older, a low level of education, belonging to small families in an advanced vital cycle, having psychological problems, suffering chronic pathologies and not attending appointments when they are arranged.
