Rev Epidemiol Sante
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Rev Epidemiol Sante · Feb 2009
Multicenter Study[Arterial-hypertension prevalence in the general population of Martinique].
Since 1996, arterial hypertension has been recognized as one of the main health priorities in Martinique. However, its prevalence in the general population has never been measured. Furthermore, obesity is increasing in many countries and studies have shown that hypertension is more frequent in obese people than in people with normal body mass index. The objective of this survey is to measure hypertension prevalence in the general population and to study the link between hypertension, weight status and socioeconomic level. ⋯ The high prevalence of both hypertension and obesity in the general Martinican population has been confirmed by this study. Prevention actions are required to decrease the cardiovascular risk in this population.
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Rev Epidemiol Sante · Feb 2009
[Do non-urgent patients presenting to an emergency department agree with a reorientation towards an alternative care department?].
Emergency department (ED) utilization has increased for several decades. ED-s are becoming more and more busy because of patients with non-urgent problems, and their demand for service has resulted in overcrowding in ED. To resolve this problem, primary care units involving general practitioners have been established. The objective of this study is to assess provision of the shift to other health care facilities for no urgent ED patients, starting from entry to ED at the request of the triage nurse. ⋯ Alternative structures such as primary care units near the ED seem to be an appropriate response to meet the growing demand of no urgent patients. The success of providing this reorientation, however, could be determined by the working hours of the structures and the practice of certain technical skills.