Objective: To describe the health-promoting community activities developed in primary health care and compare types of activities and how they are performed among autonomous regions. Methods: A descriptive multicenter study was carried out in primary care in 5 Spanish regions. We included community activities consisting of non-sporadic activities, carried out in the previous year, with the participation of the primary care team, and the active participation of the community or as a cross-sector activity. The persons responsible for each of the 194 teams were asked if the team participated in community activities and, if so, a questionnaire was completed by the person responsible for each activity. The variables consisted of the topic addressed, the target population, the professionals involved, the time and scope of implementation, evaluation, theoretical perspectives, network registration, the involvement of the community and other agents, and evaluation of this involvement. A descriptive analysis was performed, stratified by region. Results: We identified 183 community activities in 104 teams. Although there was wide variability among regions, most activities were related to general health, nutrition and emotional-sexual health and targeted the general population, children or parents and were carried out in educational or health centers. Participating professionals had a median of 4 years of experience and a median of 2.8 professionals were involved in each activity. A total of 72.5% of the activities were performed during working hours, 75% were evaluated, and 70% were supported by theoretical and methodological perspectives. Non-health sectors were involved in 65%, local government in 60%, and nongovernmental organizations in 58.5%. Nurses were involved in 85.8% of the activities, physicians in 38.5%, and social workers in 35%. Substantial variability was detected among regions. Discussion Wide variability was found in the types of activities and their application among the community activities developed by primary care, as well as in institutional recognition and community involvement in the development and evaluation of these activities.
Objetivos: Describir las actividades comunitarias de promoción de la salud realizadas en atención primaria, y comparar los tipos y formas de llevarse a cabo en las distintas comunidades autónomas. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico descriptivo realizado en atención primaria de cinco comunidades autónomas. Se incluyeron actividades comunitarias no puntuales, realizadas en el año previo, con participación del equipo de atención primaria, en las que la comunidad participaba activamente o era una actividad intersectorial. Responsables de 194 equipos respondieron sobre participación en actividades comunitarias. En caso afirmativo, se completaba un cuestionario. Variables: tema abordado, población diana, profesionales implicados, tiempo y ámbito de realización, evaluación, perspectivas teóricas, inscripción en redes, participación de la comunidad y otros agentes, y valoración de estas participaciones. Análisis: descriptivo estratificado por comunidades autónomas. Resultados: Se identificaron 183 actividades comunitarias en 104 equipos. Aunque varían entre las comunidades autónomas, destacan las actividades de salud general, alimentación y salud afectiva-sexual, dirigidas a población general, infancia o progenitores, y desarrolladas en centros educativos o de salud. La mediana de trayectoria es de 4 años y con 2,8 profesionales implicados. El 72,5% se realizan en horario laboral, el 75% son evaluadas y el 70% apoyadas en perspectivas teórico-metodológicas. En el 65% participan sectores no sanitarios, en el 60% la administración y en el 58,5% entidades cívicas. En el 85,8% participaba personal de enfermería, en el 38,5% de medicina y en el 35% de trabajo social. Hay variabilidad entre comunidades autónomas. Discusión Se aprecia variabilidad entre comunidades autónomas en los tipos y formas de aplicación de las actividades comunitarias realizadas por atención primaria, así como en el reconocimiento institucional y la implicación comunitaria en el desarrollo y la evaluación de la actividad.
