[Prevalence of signs and symptoms, associated sociodemographic factors and resulting actions in an urban center in southern Brazil].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of signs and symptoms in the adult population, the sociodemographic factors associated with them, and the actions taken as a result of these symptoms, according to sex.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the city of Rio Grande (state of Rio Grande do Sul), Brazil, in 2000. We interviewed 1 259 people > or = 15 years of age.