Investigating the aged population of Tanguá city: the profile of the frequenters of a health polyclinic

Abstract

Objective: Describe the profile of the aged users of a health polyclinic of the Tanguá city, Rio de Janeiro. Method: Transversal, descriptive study. It was used as an instrument for data collection a questionnaire, participating 180 elderly. Results: There was in interviewed population a prevalence of the feminine sex, low education and the majority lived with family; regarding to health data, 25% and 56.6% consider its health as good or reasonable, respectively, even those with confirmed diseases, being the arterial hypertension the illness most prevalent. Conclusion: The mapping of the characteristics of older people from a particular region contributes to the understanding of aging Brazilian, as well as new directions for public policy.