Frequency of chronic non-communicable diseases in the El Maká indigenous community, Ciudad del Este, Alto Paraná, Paraguay

Abstract

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) tend to be long-lasting, slow to progress, cannot be cured, and are currently one of the greatest challenges facing health systems worldwide. It is estimated that 80% of consultations in primary care and 60% of hospital admissions are due to non-communicable chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of chronic non-communicable diseases in the inhabitants of the Maká indigenous community in Ciudad del Este, Alto Paraná, Paraguay in 2018. We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive observational study to identify NCDs. Twenty-six inhabitants of both sexes from the Maká indigenous community participated. The percentage of NCDs among the inhabitants of the indigenous community was 34.61%, with arterial hypertension being the most frequent pathology in the community, followed by respiratory allergies. It is observed that the indigenous communities are not so isolated from the modern way of life, and the pathologies of the city have similar frequencies to those of the autochthonous population. To solve this situation in indigenous communities, it is important to carry out basic care programs within these communities to promote and prevent these chronic diseases.