Construction of a Deprivation Index as a Framework to Guide Health Interventions in Neuquén City

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Health inequalities are the unnecessary, unfair and avoidable differences which arise between population groups defined socially, economically, demographically or geographically. It is necessary to develop a global and multidimensional approach of differences, in order to plan health actions to reduce inequality. OBJECTIVES: To construct a deprivation index which allows to characterize the neighborhoods of Neuquén city according to the socioeconomic level of their inhabitants, as a framework to guide health interventions aimed at reducing inequality. METHODS: An observational study was conducted, including a factorial analysis of principal components of demographic and socioeconomic variables. RESULTS: The deprivation index allowed stratification of neighborhoods according to the average socioeconomic level of their inhabitants. Socioeconomic level of neighborhoods showed a center-to-periphery gradient, pointing to those placed in the north-west of the city as the most vulnerable ones. CONCLUSIONS: It is very important to know the spatial distribution of different socioeconomic groups in order to guide public policies. This study offers a conceptual and analytical framework about distribution of social determinants of health between geographical areas of Neuquén city, that can help to plan and monitor interventions aimed at reducing inequalities.