Acesso e utilização dos serviços de saúde entre crianças de 5 a 9 anos da zona urbana de Sobral - CE e fatores associados

Abstract

Evidence shows that individuals with worse health conditions are poorer, less educated and poorer living conditions. The Health Services Use (HSU), a social determinant intermediary, can interfere with the health of individuals. However, the pursuit of health services depends on personal characteristics, available resources and the perceived need for health according to the Behavioral Model of HSU proposed by Andersen. The objective was to identify factors associated with HSU among children 5 to 9 years in the urban area of Sobral, CE. The present study was part of a research population-based "Study of the health, education and quality of life for children 5-9 years of the urban area of Sobral-CE". Home interviews were conducted with 3,274 children in 1999/2000. The dependent variables were the HSU in family health units (PSF), in hospitals and private clinics and insured health plans in the last 30 days and regularly. Only 558 (17.0%) children used health services in the last 30 days. When asked what type of service commonly used, the PSF was the most frequently mentioned (79.1%), followed by hospital (13.5%) and services by private agreement or (3.4%). Around 116 children, 3.5% of the sample were taken to other services such as pharmacies, mourners, godmothers, grandmothers, and others. Factors associated with HSU in the last month were: the occurrence of health problems (OR = 3.9), regular use of the PSF (OR = 1.8), garbage collection, direct and indirect (OR = 1.3 and 1.9) and location of residence in the town (OR = 1.5). Factors associated with regular use of the PSF were maternal education and lower economic conditions, living in the headquarters district and close to the PSF, conduct consultation always or sometimes the same day seeking to be registered with the PSF and not have health insurance. Associated with the hospital were: maternal education and higher economic conditions, living in the town and away from the PSF, better outlet for waste, carry out consultation on the same day of demand, not registered in the PSF and do not have health insurance. Associated with private offices / insured were maternal education and higher economic conditions, the PSF is not registered and has health plan coverage. The results showed that the HSU in Sobral-CE showed almost no inequality in access between the age group studied. Is attributed to the implementation of the Family Health Strategy which reached the most vulnerable populations and historically excluded from health care.