Profile of elderly registered at a family health unit of Fortaleza-CE

This is a descriptive and quantitative study which describes the socio-demographic, economical and clinical profile of elderly people registered at a family health unit in Fortaleza in the state of Ceará. Data were collected from May to June 2011, by household survey, with the application of a form with 52 elderly people. The results revealed a predominantly female population (69.2%), with low levels of schooling (88.5%), retired (69.2%) and with low monthly income (96.2%). Regarding the health situation, the cardiovascular disease presented higher prevalence among women (p=0.005). There was a prevalence of hypertension (48.1%) and diabetes (15.4%). A significant proportion of the elderly people admitted not to have adhered to drug therapy (33.3%). It is considered that the data that characterize the elderly assisted in primary care are essential to devise strategies of health education to meet their needs