Objective

To describe sociodemographic and diagnostic characteristics of indigenous patients (identified by determining whether they speak an indigenous language) hospitalised between January 2014 and January 2015 at the Hospital General de Mexico, and to analyse these characteristics using a vulnerability classification.

Materials and methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional study of hospital data and a bivariate analysis using vulnerability as a dependent variable and those variables described in the socioeconomic study as independent variables.

Results

Of 47,733 patients hospitalised, 816 (1.7%) were speakers of indigenous languages, with Náhuatl being the most common indigenous language (31.3%); 98.6% did not have health insurance coverage and 45.9% were classified as vulnerable patients; 62% did not receive an income. 77% were from Oaxaca, State of Mexico, Veracruz, Puebla and Hidalgo; however, 59.1% were living in Mexico City and the State of Mexico. The most frequent diagnoses were neoplasms (21.4%), followed by diseases of the digestive system (16.3%). 53% reported that they had been dealing with their illness for more than 6 months. The household and family income variables were strongly linked to vulnerability.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the precarious living conditions of hospitalised indigenous peoples and the difficulties they face in fighting diseases given their socioeconomic conditions. Recommendations are made to address the way the indigenous peoples are identified in the hospital, on recognising them as a vulnerable population, as well as the need for records of sociodemographic and health information regarding this population in hospital settings, so that it is reliable and comparable and to serve as a strong case for the implementation of local actions which meet national and international standards.