Percepción del estado de salud y factores asociados: caso de estudio provincia de Loja

Abstract

Abstract: The study "Perception of Health Status and Associated Factors: A Case Study in the Province of Loja" analyzes the relationship between the subjective perception of health status and various sociodemographic factors in the province of Loja, Ecuador. The research is grounded in the understanding of health status perception as a key indicator of individual and social well-being an understanding essential for guiding more equitable and effective public health policies. Addressing this issue and the limited existing empirical evidence, the study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive approach based on data from the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). The analysis incorporated the population expansion factor (fexp), enabling the projection of results to the population level and ensuring statistical representativeness. Variables such as sex, age, education level, area of residence, and economic status were examined. The results identified associations between health status perception and the analyzed factors, demonstrating that education, age, and income are critical determinants of perceived well-being. The study provides empirical evidence useful for strengthening the equity and efficiency of the healthcare system through public policies that are territorially just.