Utilização de serviços de saúde em zona de abrangência da estratégia saúde da família, São Leopoldo, RS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe health care utilization in a catchment area of the Family Health Program in a Brazilian town. A cross sectional population-based study was carried out with people aged 15 years or over. The utilization was measured by asking participants whether they had consulted with a medical doctor in the preceding three months. Among 489 interviewees, 281 (57.5%, IC95% 53.1 a 61.8) had had a consult and 54.2% reported to it to be in the public health (State-funded) system. Higher prevalence of the outcome were found in women and people aged 40 or over. Health care service utilization of the public health system was associated with low income and low education. We show that the implementation of outpatient care by Family Health Strategy services can reduce inequalities in health service utilization.