Objective: To define the effect of preventive activities on the population served by a health centre; and to make a comparison between the two different shifts, on one of which a preventive programme functioned, whereas on the other it did not.
Design: A descriptive study, using systematic random sampling and internal crossed auditing of the health centre's clinical records.
Setting: An urban primary care centre.
Patients and other participants: Two samples of 175 patients from both morning and afternoon shifts were compared.
Interventions: The following were studied: antitetanus and German measles vaccinations; control of arterial tension; control of cholesterolaemia; a questionnaire on tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Measurements and main results: No differences were observed in the homogeneity of the tests carried out (DVS = 413.28, p = NS; chi squared = 9.67, p = NS). Important differences were observed in the percentages for the preventive activities carried out. These differences were in favour of the morning shift, where the tests were part of the programme, and were statistically significant for all tests. Differences were greater in the younger age-groups.
Conclusions: Introducing and integrating a programme of preventive activities into the daily activity of the consulting room, significantly improves the effectiveness of these activities. We believe therefore that the introduction of such activities in the form of a programme should be encouraged.