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

Revista de Saúde Pública

卷:37

Raúl Mendoza-Sassi¹  Aluísio J D Barros²  Jorge U Béria³ 

[1] Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande;

[2] Universidade Federal de Pelotas;

[3] Universidade Luterana do Brasil;

关键词: health services;    health services accessibility;    equity in access;    socioeconomic factors;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 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】

Unknown