Redução das desigualdades no uso de consultas médicas no Brasil: análise das regiões Nordeste e Sudeste entre 2003 e 2008

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Objective: To analyze the socioeconomic inequalities in medical visits (MV) in the past year in Brazil. Methods: Data from adults aged ≥ 20 years old who participated in the Brazilian National Household Surveys and living in the Northeastern (2003; n = 75,652 and 2008, n = 79,779) and Southeastern (2003; n = 76,029 and 2008; n = 79,356) regions were analyzed according to MV. We compared MVs according to demographic and health variables in the first (D1) and last (D10) per capita family income deciles. All analyses considered the complex cluster design. Results: The proportion of people who had MV during this period increased in the Northeastern (from 61.2 to 66.9%) and the Southeastern (from 67.9 to 73.5%) regions. The absolute difference (AD) in the use of MV, according to D1 and D10 in this period, was equal to 6.4 percentage points (pp) in the Northeastern and 4.2 pp in the Southeastern regions. Significant reduction in inequalities was observed among men without chronic diseases, in those who had a positive perception of their health, and among those without health insurance which included MV. The Southeastern region has also showed significant reduction among those with chronic disease (8 pp) and with negative health self-perception (6 pp). Conclusion: The increasing number of MVs was found in Brazil. However, persistent inequalities were observed between the poorest and the richest, higher in the Northeastern than in the Southeastern region. More effective and equitable policies to reduce health inequalities should be adopted in Brazil.

Tendências no uso de serviços de saúde médicos e odontológicos e a relação com nível educacional e posse de plano privado de saúde no Brasil, 1998-2013

“…Já em relação ao uso dos serviços médicos, essas desigualdades educacionais aumentaram ao longo dos anos. Resultado diferente mostrando redução das desigualdades entre os mais ricos e os mais pobres na utilização de consultas médicas foi registrado entre as regiões Nordeste e Sudeste 23 . É importante ressaltar que as variáveis de renda e educação utilizadas para medir desigualdades são diferentes, apesar de que a educação pode ser considerada como uma proxy para renda.…”

Características das mulheres que não consultam com médico: estudo de base populacional

“…Another study with PNAD data from 2003 and 2008 found that women consulted doctors more than men. It also showed that women over 50, with higher income and higher self-reported morbidity, also consulted doctors more often 5 .…”

“…Studies that evaluated access to health services evidenced advances after the Sanitary Reform movement and SUS 3 – 5 implementation. Between 1981 and 2008, the number of individuals using primary care increased by approximately 450% 1 .…”

Fatores associados a não realização de consulta médica nos 12 meses anteriores a entrevista concedida por adultos e idosos em Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, em 2016: estudo transversal*

“…7 Factors indicated to explain why adults and elderly people do not consult with physicians include the following: being male, less educated and family income. 8,9 A meta-analysis conducted in 2017 found that medical consultation frequency in the last year was 71%. 10 Other national studies with adults found similar results for having had a medical consultation in the last year, ranging between 64.8% and 74.2%.…”