Author:

• Lisiane Manganelli Girardi Paskulin - Paskulin, L.M.G. - Porto Alegre, RS - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - <paskulin@orion.ufrgs.br>

Thematic Area:

Não Categorizado

Abstract:

ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study carried out the last semester of 2004 through a household survey with 292 elders in a Southern Brazil city, selected through a probabilistic sampling. The objectives were: to describe elders primary health care services utilization and geographic access in Porto Alegre/ RS, and to analyze the association between interest variables and primary health services utilization. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used. The primary health care services were used among 49.7% of the respondents, motivated by their location, quality and whether a direct payment was not required for the services. The factors negatively associated with primary health care services utilization were level of education and health perception and the variable related positively was chronic condition self-referred. Older persons exposed to frailty related with economic and health conditions were more likely to use a primary health care service, demonstrating signs of a health system equality. On the other hand, it is necessary to amplify the service coverage for older persons that do not obtain access as well as to amplify health actions to support the heterogeneity of this group.
KEY WORDS: Health Services Accessibility, Aged, Health of the Elderly, Health Services, Primary Health Care, Population Ageing.

Content:

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