Determinantes e efeitos da continuidade na atenção à saúde: estudo de base populacional em Pelotas, RS.

Abstract

Aims: To study the prevalence of Interpersonal Continuity of Care (CIAS) and its socioeconomic and demographic determinants, as well as, those related to the health care and the persons health needs. Methods: It was developed a population-based cross-sectional study involving 3133 individuals of the urban area of Pelotas, RS. The studied sample included adults with 20 years or more and were selected in multiple steps. The multivariate analysis was performed trough Poisson regression. In the first level were the socioeconomic and demographic variables and in the proximal level were the health care and persons health needs. Results: The prevalence of CIAS was of 43,7% IC95% (42,0-45,5). Females, individuals with higher age, higher incomes, those who had consulted in the last year, those with chronic disease and the ones who had not consulted in the public health system had presented higher prevalence of CIAS. When analyzing those who had consulted in the Public Primary Health Care Services (UBS), females, older individuals and Family Health Program had higher prevalence of CIAS. Conclusion: The CIAS is more prevalent in the elderly and those with chronic illness. However, other vulnerable groups, as those with low income and users of the public health system, had low prevalence of CIAS, showing important iniquity in health. The Family Health Program seem to have positive impact in CIAS.