Background:

A high level of social support (SS) is associated with better health outcomes in many conditions, such as chronic diseases.

Aim :

To describe the level of SS in patients with Hypertension and type II Diabetes at Primary Health Care level in Chile and its association with self-rated health, adherence to treatment and better glycemic and blood pressure control.

Material and Methods :

SS was measured using a social support inventory previously validated in Chile. Self-Rated Health was assessed with a single non-comparative general question; adherence to medication was assessed using the four-item Morisky medication adherence scale. Blood glucose and blood pressure control were also assessed. A logistic regression was performed to estimate Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR) and Robust Poisson method to estimate the Prevalence Ratio (PR).

Results :

Eighty three percent of the 647 participants evaluated high for SS. There was a significant correlation between SS and Self-rated health (POR 2.32; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.19-11.23; PR 1.18; 95% CI 1.07-1.31). No statistically significant association was observed with medication adherence, glycemic or blood pressure control.

Conclusions:

High levels of SS were found. The association between self-rated health suggests that SS interventions targeting vulnerable subgroups would be worthwhile.