Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study

Revista de Saúde Pública

Raúl Mendoza-sassi²  Jorge U Béria¹  Aluísio J D Barros¹ 

[1],Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Departamento de Medicina Interna Rio Grande RS ,Brazil

关键词: Health services;    Health services accessibility;    Equity in access;    Socioeconomic factors;    Serviços de saúde;    Acesso aos serviços de saúde;    Eqüidade no acesso;    Fatores socioeconômicos;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0034-89102003000300017

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that lead people to visit a doctor in Brazil and assess differences between socioeconomic groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional study comprising 1,260 subjects aged 15 or more was carried out in southern Brazil. Demographic, socioeconomic, health needs and regular source of care data were analyzed concerning visits to a doctor within two months from the interview. Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Adjusted PR showed that women having stressful life events, health insurance, and a regular doctor increased the outcome. A dose-related response was found with self-reported health, and the probability of visiting a doctor increased with health needs. Analysis in the chronic disease group revealed that uneducated lower income subjects had a 62% reduction in the chance of visiting a doctor compared to uneducated higher income ones. However, as it was seen a significant interaction between income and education, years of schooling increased utilization in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the existence of health inequity in the poorest group that could be overcome with education. Specific measures reinforcing the importance of having a regular doctor may also improve access in the underserved group.

【 授权许可】

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