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.
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.
Authors: Alon Unger; Ridalva D M Felzemburgh; Robert E Snyder; Guilherme S Ribeiro; Sharif Mohr; Vinícius B A Costa; Astrid X T O Melendez; Renato B Reis; Francisco S Santana; Lee W Riley; Mitermayer G Reis; Albert I Ko Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2015-06 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Juvenal S Dias-da-Costa; Denise P Gigante; Bernardo L Horta; Fernando C Barros; Cesar G Victora Journal: Rev Saude Publica Date: 2008-12 Impact factor: 2.106
Authors: Marta S M Krüger; Celina A Lang; Luiza H S Almeida; Fernanda O Bello-Corrêa; Ana R Romano; Fernanda G Pappen Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2015-03
Authors: Aline Mendes Silva de de Pinho; Ana Cristina Campos; Efigênia Ferreira e Ferreira; Andréa Maria Duarte Vargas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2012-07-25 Impact factor: 3.390