Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study
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.
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Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo
2003
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oai:scielo:S0034-891020030003000172006-03-23Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based studyMendoza-Sassi,RaúlBéria,Jorge UBarros,Aluísio J D Health services/utilization Health services accessibility Equity in access Socioeconomic factors 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.info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessFaculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São PauloRevista de Saúde Pública v.37 n.3 20032003-06-01info:eu-repo/semantics/articletext/htmlhttp://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102003000300017en10.1590/S0034-89102003000300017 |
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Mendoza-Sassi,Raúl Béria,Jorge U Barros,Aluísio J D |
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Mendoza-Sassi,Raúl Béria,Jorge U Barros,Aluísio J D Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study |
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Mendoza-Sassi,Raúl Béria,Jorge U Barros,Aluísio J D |
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Mendoza-Sassi,Raúl |
title |
Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study |
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Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study |
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Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study |
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Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study |
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Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study |
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outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study |
description |
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. |
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Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo |
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2003 |
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http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102003000300017 |
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