Abstract

Objective

to present Family Health Strategy (ESF) coverage according to the National Health Survey (PNS), comparing to administrative data and previous coverage of the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD 2008), and describe the frequencies of home visiting teams.

Methods

it was compared data from 2013 according to PNS and data from the Ministry of Health and the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD 2008). Home visiting indicators of PNS were stratified by education and Major Regions.

Results

the proportion of households registered in Family Health Teams in Brazil was 53.4% (95%CI: 52.1-54.6), being higher in rural areas and in the Northeast. The proportion of residents in registered households was 56.2%, similar to the Ministry of Health (56.4%) and showed growth compared to PNAD 2008 (50.9%). There was variation between regions, UF and capitals. People with lower education level have received more home visiting monthly.

Discussion

the ESF is an important promoter of health equity and its coverage and scope increase is successful in the country.

Health surveys; Family Health Strategy; Primary Health Care; Health services coverage; Unified Health System

Introduction

In the Last year there was a great expansion of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in entire National Territory¹1. Fausto MCR, Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM, Seidl H, Gagno J. A posição da Estratégia Saúde da Família na rede de atenção à saúde na perspectiva das equipes e usuários participantes do PMAQ-AB. Saude Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):13-33., with strong induction and support of the Ministry of Health, Being Considered as priority Strategy structuring of primary care, the main system gateway Unified Health (SUS). An ESF HAS essential role in the first contact in longitudinality and care coordination and should operate as basis for structuring Care Networks, with Support Services Support Diagnosis Expert Assistance and hospital¹1. Fausto MCR, Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM, Seidl H, Gagno J. A posição da Estratégia Saúde da Família na rede de atenção à saúde na perspectiva das equipes e usuários participantes do PMAQ-AB. Saude Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):13-33.

2. Brasil. Decreto Federal nº 7.508 de 28 de junho de 2011. Regulamenta a Lei nº 8.080, de 19 de setembro de 1990, para dispor sobre a organização do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS, o planejamento da saúde, a assistência à saúde e a articulação interfederativa, e dá outras providências. Diário Oficial da União 2011; 29 jun.^-33. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Política Nacional de Atenção Básica. Brasília: MS; 2011..

The ESF works through family health teams, and since 2004 are composed of a doctor, a nurse, a nursing assistant and at least four community health agents, and oral health professionals. The family health teams operating in defined geographic areas and attached populations, containing up to 4,000 people for each team, with 3000 the average recommended, although this number may be lower according to the risk and social vulnerability of the population covered³3. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Política Nacional de Atenção Básica. Brasília: MS; 2011..

Starfield⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002. points out that accessibility (structure), the geographical location of service, hours and days of operation, and the process of use of services by the population, are essential elements for primary care is considered the gateway to the health system⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002.. It is understood that the operative primary care implies increased access to users’ demands, including adequate hours of operation of the units, care and assistance to spontaneous demand and capacity in resolving claims brought by users. The qualified responsiveness of primary care also depends on the integration with other health care system levels⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002.

5. Feo JJO, Campo JMF, Camacho JG. La coordinación entre Atención Primaria y Especializada? Reforma del sistema sanitario o reforma delejercicio profesional. Revista de Administración Sanitaria 2006; 4(2):357-382.

6. Watson DE, Broemeling A-M, Reid RJ, Black C. A results-based logic model for primary health care: laying an evidence-based foundation to guide performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation. Vancouver: University of British Columbia; 2004.^-77. Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM, Almeida PF, Escorel S, Senna MCM, Fausto MCR, Delgado MM, Andrade CLT, Cunha MS, Martins MIC, Teixeira CP. Saúde da Família: limites e possibilidades para uma abordagem integral de Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil. Cien Saude Colet 2009; 14(3):783-794..

Investment in primary health care has brought many positive results in various countries in the world⁸8. Macinko J, Starfield B, Shi L. The contribution of primary care systems to health outcomes within Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, 1970- 1998. Health Serv Res 2003; 38(3):831-865.

9. Starfield B. New Paradigms for Quality in Primary Care. Br J Gen Pract 2001; 51(465):303-309.^-1010. Shi L, Macinko J, Starfield B, Xu J, Regan J, Politzer R, Wulu J. Primary Care, Infant Mortality, and Low Birth Weight in the States of the USA. J Epidemiol Community Health 2004; 58(5):374-380. and also in Brazil¹¹11. Macinko J, Guanais FC, Fátima M, Souza M. Evaluation of the impact of the Family Health Program on infant mortality in Brazil, 1990-2002. J Epidemiol Community Health 2006; 60(1):13-19., such as: the reduction in rates of infant mortality, a reduction in hospital admissions (that would not necessarily occur), greater service equality, more access for service users, continuity of care, less costs amongst other benefits.

The implementation of the ESF in the country experienced significant expansion of coverage in the last decade, with different rates between regions and population size of the municipalities. Administrative data from the Department of Primary Care (DAB) Attention Secretary to the Health Ministry of Health indicated that in 2012, 95 % of Brazilian municipalities counted a total of 33,404 deployed teams with the potential to cover 55 % of the population Brazilian. However, there are important differences in coverage and in access to and supply of care in the Basic Health Units (UBS) in the municipalities, partly because of management mechanisms and social inequality in the country, with important implications for the access and use of services of health¹1. Fausto MCR, Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM, Seidl H, Gagno J. A posição da Estratégia Saúde da Família na rede de atenção à saúde na perspectiva das equipes e usuários participantes do PMAQ-AB. Saude Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):13-33.^,33. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Política Nacional de Atenção Básica. Brasília: MS; 2011..

In 2013, the National Health Research (PNS) collected data on access and use of health services, such as coverage of family health strategy and information on home visits¹²12. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Acesso e Utilização dos Serviços de Saúde, Acidentes e Violências. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2015..

The objective of this study is to present the coverage of the Family Health Strategy estimated by the National Health Research (PNS), compared to administrative data and previous coverage of the National Survey by Household Sample (PNAD), and describes home visits frequencies teams.

Methods

The current study compares the PNS results with other household survey conducted by IBGE in 2008 (PNAD), and administrative data from the Ministry of Health, on family health coverage.

The PSN is a nationwide search and home-based, carried out through a partnership of the Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and is part of the Integrated Household Surveys (SIPD) IBGE and therefore uses a subsample Sample Master of this system, with the same stratification of primary sampling units (PSU), consisting of one or more census tracts⁶6. Watson DE, Broemeling A-M, Reid RJ, Black C. A results-based logic model for primary health care: laying an evidence-based foundation to guide performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation. Vancouver: University of British Columbia; 2004..

The sampling plan of PNS by conglomerates was divided into three stages. At first we selected the primary sampling units (PSU). Within each PSU was selected a fixed number of households (second stage) permanent private, which ranged from 10 to 14. In each sampled household was selected one resident aged 18 years and over (third stage). At every stage, we used simple random sample as selection method¹²12. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Acesso e Utilização dos Serviços de Saúde, Acidentes e Violências. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2015..

The size of the sample was calculated as being approximately 81,000 households with the view to having some estimated parameters of particular interest in different geographical divisions. In the calculations, average values, variations and the effect of the sample plan (EPA) were taken into consideration with a predicted rate of non-responses being 20%¹²12. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Acesso e Utilização dos Serviços de Saúde, Acidentes e Violências. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2015.^,1313. Szwarcwald CL, Malta DC, Pereira CA, Vieira MLFP, Conde WL, Souza Júnior PRB, Damacena GN, Azevedo LO, Silva GA, Theme Filha MM, Lopes CS, Romero DE, Almeida WS, Monteiro CA. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde no Brasil: concepção e metodologia de aplicação. Cien Saude Colet 2014; 19(2):333-342..

The collection of data was carried out through interviews where hand held computers were used (Personal Digital Assistance - PDA) and which in turn were programmed to scrutinize the values that were obtained. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: 1) Information from the selected household: one for every residence; 2) Information on all of the residents: a resident (proxy), that generally spoke to an interviewer on behalf of all of those that lived in the same house; and 3) selected resident: a resident adult (who was 18 years old or older) that was selected to answer certain specific questions¹²12. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Acesso e Utilização dos Serviços de Saúde, Acidentes e Violências. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2015..

64,348 households had interviews and the interviewees commented on the coverage of the ESF. In this way valid information was collected covering approximately 205,000 residents. In order to analyze the data, expansion factors or sample weights were used for: the UPAs, the households, all the residents and the selected residents¹²12. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Acesso e Utilização dos Serviços de Saúde, Acidentes e Violências. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2015.^,1313. Szwarcwald CL, Malta DC, Pereira CA, Vieira MLFP, Conde WL, Souza Júnior PRB, Damacena GN, Azevedo LO, Silva GA, Theme Filha MM, Lopes CS, Romero DE, Almeida WS, Monteiro CA. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde no Brasil: concepção e metodologia de aplicação. Cien Saude Colet 2014; 19(2):333-342..

The health supplement from the National Survey by Household Sampling (PNAD), conducted in 2008, got interviews records in 150,591 households and 391,868 people in all Brazilian states. The sampling plan of the National Household Survey was conducted through random sample of households, divided into three stages. The primary sampling units, municipalities at first were selected; in the second, selection, census tracts; and households composed the third selection. The National Household Survey 2008 included the health coverage of the theme of the family (households and registered residents). The respondent, proxy, accounted for all the inhabitants of domicile¹⁴14. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios. Um panorama da saúde no Brasil. Acesso e utilização de serviços, condições de saúde e fatores de risco e proteção à saúde 2008. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2010.. The SNP had a greater geographical spread in its sample, and higher precision of estimates compared to the National Household Survey. Important PNAD modules were maintained with small updates in order to allow monitoring of the two indicators.

The administrative data on the coverage and the forming of the family health teams are registered on the Information System for Basic Primary Care (SIAB) and are updated on a monthly basis. For teams that had already implemented eSUS-AB, the process was carried out on the Information System for Basic Primary Health Care (SIAB). The above information is available on the electronic site of the Health Ministry through the Department for Basic Health Care which has a Secretary for Health (DAB/SAS/MS). This information is updated monthly and can be monitored on the site¹⁵15. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Coberturas do Saúde da Familia. [acessado 2015 ago 26]. Disponível em: http://dab.saude.gov.br/dab/historico_cobertura_ sf/historico_cobertura_sf_relatorio.php
http://dab.saude.gov.br/dab/historico_co... .

In the current study the following indicators were presented:

1. % of registered households in family health units (the number of registered households at a family health care unit/number of households interviewed in the PNS and PNAD).

2. % of residents with households registered at family health care units (number of residents of households registered at a family health care unit/total number of households interviewed). A similar indicator was analyzed using data from DAB (the number of residents registered at a family health care unit/Population IBGE)

3. % of registered households at a family health care unit one year ago or for longer that were visited by community health care workers (Agentes comunitários de saúde - ACS) or members of the family health care team on a monthly basis (the number of registered households at a family health care unit one year ago or for longer that were visited by ACS or members of the family health care team monthly/number of households registered at a family health care unit one year ago or for longer);

4. % of registered households at a family health unit one year ago or for longer that were not visited by community health care workers (ACS) or members of the family health care team on a monthly basis (the number of registered households at a family health care unit one year ago or for longer that were not visited by ACS or members of the family health care team/number of households registered at the family health care unit one year ago or for longer).

Coverage indicators were stratified by Major Regions, Federation Units (UF), Capital, urban / rural and education. They have described the prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%); and the absolute numbers were estimated. When there was no overlap of confidence intervals, the difference was statistically significant.

The proportions of people who live in these households registered in family health unit to Brazil and capital of Brazilian states, were compared with administrative data from the Department of Primary Care (DAB) of the Ministry of Health. Another comparison proposal was the proportion of people residents in registered households in the family health unit, for Brazil, Major Regions and Federative Units from PNS, DAB and National Sample Survey (PNAD), in 2008.

Home visits from community health workers were stratified according to education and Major Regions. The data were analyzed using software Stata 11.0, through the survey module, which considers effects of complex sample. The project was approved by the National Commission of Ethics in Research (CONEP) in June 2013. At the time of interview, all individuals were consulted, informed and agreed to participate.

Results

The proportion of registered households in the family health unit in Brazil was 53.4% (95% CI: 52.1 to 54.6), being higher in rural areas (70.9%) than in urban (50.6 %). The Northeast region had the highest percentage with 64.7%, followed by the South (56.2%); Southeast had the lowest with 46.0% (Table 1).

The proportion of people who live in these households registered in family health unit, the value for Brazil was 56.2% (95% CI: 54.9 to 57.4) and is also higher in rural areas (72.3 %) than in urban (53.3%). The Northeast region also had the highest percentage (68.1%) and the Southeast, the lowest (48.3%) (Table 1).

When observed by Federative Units, the highest proportions of people who live in these households registered in family health unit were in Tocantins (93.6%), Paraíba (81.0%) and Piauí (80.3%), and lower in the Federal District, with 14.3% coverage (Table 1). Watching the capital, Brasilia and Salvador had the lowest percentages, 14.3% and 15.2%, respectively, and Palmas has the highest proportion (88.9%) (Figure 1.1).

Comparing these PSN data with DAB, also 2013, we observe similar values in both sources for Brazil: 56.2% by PNS and 56.4% by the DAB, with 0.3% of variation; and the total capital: 40.0% by NSP and 39.1% by the DAB (Table 2; Figure 1). However, when evaluating each state and capital, major differences are observed. Amapá and in Goiania, the levels were higher in DAB data, 58.6% and 47.1%, respectively; On the other hand, Boa Vista and Campo Grande values were higher after the NSP, 51.3% and 74.6%, respectively (Table 2; Figure 1).

Table 2 shows a comparison of the data from the PNS 2013 with the PNAD 2008, where we observed similar values between the two surveys for northern region (53.5% and 53.9%, respectively) and the northeast (68.1% in the PNS and 67.7% in the PNAD). For the rest of the regions and Brazil in general, the values were higher in the PNS, being 50.9% in the PNAD and 56.2 in the PNS for Brazil (+10.3%); 38,5% in the PNAD and 48.3% in the PNS for the southeast region (+25.4%); 53,0% in the PNAD and 58,4% in the PNS for the southern region (+10,3%); and 50,1% in the PNAD and 54,5% in the PNS for the central western area (+8,8%). In relation to the UFs, Amapá and Rio de Janeiro presented the largest differences in the time period, 19.4% in PNAD and 33.8% in the PNS for first (+74.6%) and 19.2% in the PNAD and 35.1% in the PNS for the second (+82.7%).

When an evaluation on the level of education was done, it was shown that the proportion of residents in households registered at family health care units was larger amongst those with low levels of education compared with this with higher levels. This was the case for Brazilian regions, with the south east showing the highest fluctuations among the levels (Figure 2).

Also in relation to levels of schooling, Figure 3 shows the proportion of households registered at family health care units one year ago or longer and those households that had visits from community health care workers or members of the family health care team on a monthly basis. The highest value was registered in the central western region (58.3%) and the lowest in the south eastern region (41.6%). The proportion that was observed with low levels of schooling was larger than those with high levels of education, in all the Brazilian regions.

The northern and central western regions were those that showed the lowest proportion of household registered one year ago or longer and never had any visits from the ACS or members of the family health care team (10.8%). On the other hand, the largest proportion was seen in the south east region being 23.8% (Figure 3).

Discussion

The study found that more than half of the population concerns be registered in family health units, being higher in rural areas (nearly two-thirds of the population) compared to urban. The Northeast region had the highest percentage, followed by the South, the Southeast had the lowest proportion. Federation Units with higher proportions of people registered residents in households in the family health unit were in Tocantins, above 90%, Paraíba and Piauí, above 80%, and lowest in the Federal District. Among the capital, Brasilia and Salvador had the lowest percentages, about 15%, and Palms theme highest proportion, about 90%. The PNS coverage values were similar to the administrative records of the DAB, pointing consistency of administrative data, when compared to those reported by users. We also highlight the growth in ESF coverage in over 10% in the country.

The proposed organization of Primary health dates back to the UK in the 20s, when launching the Dawson Report, which resulted in the English health system configuration, especially in the dissemination of health centers took place, attended by doctors generalist and multidisciplinary team⁷7. Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM, Almeida PF, Escorel S, Senna MCM, Fausto MCR, Delgado MM, Andrade CLT, Cunha MS, Martins MIC, Teixeira CP. Saúde da Família: limites e possibilidades para uma abordagem integral de Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil. Cien Saude Colet 2009; 14(3):783-794.^,1616. Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM. Atenção Primária à Saúde. In: Giovanella L, organizador. Políticas e sistemas de saúde no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz; 2012. p. 493-545.. In recent decades, has increased the number of countries with investment in Primary⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002.. In Brazil, the implementation of the Family Health Strategy experienced great expansion of coverage from the 2000s, with different rates between regions and population size of the municipalities¹⁷17. Alves MGM, Casotti E, Oliveira LGD, Machado MTC, Almeida PF, Corvino MPF, Marin J, Flauzino RF, Montenegro LAA. Fatores condicionantes para o acesso às equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família no Brasil. Saúde Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):34-51.. of the 2008 PNAD Health Supplement data showed about 27.5 million registered households, or 47.7%, corresponding to 50.9% of the population, were covered by the Family Health Program at the time. Thus, the current study showed expansion of 10.3% of national coverage, which coincides with the administrative data from the Ministry of Health.

Studies show countries that have good primary health care have better health care outcomes which include: children’s health (reduced numbers of babies born that are under-weight, lower rates of infant mortality); the early detection of such cancers as colorectal, breast, uterus/cervical and melanoma; lower numbers of early deaths due to the implementation of preventative measures; and greater life expectancy⁹9. Starfield B. New Paradigms for Quality in Primary Care. Br J Gen Pract 2001; 51(465):303-309.^,1010. Shi L, Macinko J, Starfield B, Xu J, Regan J, Politzer R, Wulu J. Primary Care, Infant Mortality, and Low Birth Weight in the States of the USA. J Epidemiol Community Health 2004; 58(5):374-380.. Also in Brazil, studies have shown a greater reduction in infant mortality in municipalities where the PSF was implemented¹¹11. Macinko J, Guanais FC, Fátima M, Souza M. Evaluation of the impact of the Family Health Program on infant mortality in Brazil, 1990-2002. J Epidemiol Community Health 2006; 60(1):13-19.. This showed the importance of widening health coverage as well as access to primary health care in the country and the various states.

Authors have expanded the scope of the concept of access beyond the entry into service, seeking to incorporate also the results of the care received equity¹⁸18. Travassos C, Martins M. Acesso e utilização de serviços de saúde. Cad Saude Publica 2004; 20(Supl. 2):S190-S198.. The issue of access is bound to aspects such as host, following the counter-ment in the system, accountability with the enrolled population, both in relation to the services that are offered, as in acting in the territory⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002.. More recently, Kringos et al.¹⁹19. Kringos DS, Boerma WGW, Hutchinson A, Zee JVD, Groenewegen PP. The breadth of primary care: a systematic literature review of its core dimensions. BMC Health Services Research 2010; 10(1):65-78. added two other dimensions of access: the use of primary care services, or the actual consumption of these services, and equity in access, as to the suitability of the provision of services and health needs.

Still, the National Household Survey in 2008 found that the coverage was greater in the Northeast and lowest in the Southeast, regional differences also observed in the PNS. Most UF showed an increase in population coverage when compared to data from discrete 2008¹⁴14. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios. Um panorama da saúde no Brasil. Acesso e utilização de serviços, condições de saúde e fatores de risco e proteção à saúde 2008. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2010.. were observed increases of 1.5%, as in Mato Grosso do Sul, until significant 74.6% and 82.7%, Amapá and Rio de Janeiro respectively. Coverage in these states was approximately 19% in 2008, and thus, despite the increase in the period, coverage is still less than 40%, both in Amapá (33.8%) and in Rio de Janeiro (35.1% ). The DF kept low coverage in the period, from 14.3% in 2013¹⁴14. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios. Um panorama da saúde no Brasil. Acesso e utilização de serviços, condições de saúde e fatores de risco e proteção à saúde 2008. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2010..

Data from the PNS to Brazil are very close to those reported by DAB in December 2013, whose estimated coverage was about 109 million people or 56% of the population in 5346 municipalities and 34,715 teams. Considering the Community Health Agents, coverage rises to 125.5 million, virtually the same identified by PNS¹²12. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Acesso e Utilização dos Serviços de Saúde, Acidentes e Violências. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2015.. Such a comparison shows the compatibility of the information, the magnitude and the reach of the program in the country. In the analysis by region, there is the importance of high coverage of the Northeast, where in some states exceeded 90% as Piauí and Paraíba, and others above 80% as Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe and Maranhão. However, it draws attention the fact that he had no growth between 2008 and 2013 in the Northeast (-0.5%); on the contrary, there was a decline in states like Pernambuco, Sergipe and Paraiba; as well as in the North (-0.8%), driven by the decline of Roraima. It is noteworthy that in these regions, coverage is already quite high and it becomes challenging expand and keep it high. Evaluation studies of the National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ) raised that the main difficulties reported by users in primary care are in the lack of doctors, lack of jobs and tokens¹1. Fausto MCR, Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM, Seidl H, Gagno J. A posição da Estratégia Saúde da Família na rede de atenção à saúde na perspectiva das equipes e usuários participantes do PMAQ-AB. Saude Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):13-33.. Other studies also highlight the toggle medical professionals, the establishment of these difficulties, high turnover, particularly in inner cities in the North and Northeast of the country, on the outskirts of large cities and in risk areas²⁰20. Fonseca AF, Mendonça MHM. A interação entre avaliação e a atuação dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde: subsídios para pensar sobre o trabalho educativo. Saúde Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):343-357.

21. Cesar MC, Campos GWA, Montebelo MIL, Sarmento G. Avaliação da atenção primária no município de Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brasil. Saúde Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):296-306.

22. Campos RTO, Ferrer AL, Gama CAP, Campos GWS, Trapé TL, Dantas DV. Avaliação da qualidade do acesso na atenção primária de uma grande cidade brasileira na perspectiva dos usuários. Saúde Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):252-264.^-2323. Linhares PHA, Lira GV, Albuquerque IMN. Avaliação do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade no estado do Ceará. Saúde Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):195-208.. The reduction in states that already had high coverage, can be explained by the difficulty in setting professional. The recent creation of the Program More Doctors, which set these professionals in remote areas, in small towns and in risk areas, was after the PNS and therefore has not been possible here to assess its impact on coverage.

The large regional disparities in coverage by Federative Units and between capitals have been attributed to recent studies the diversity of local management processes between municipalities and states. Even with strong induction of the federal government, organizational processes are very different and this results in large differences in site deployment, including affecting local coverage, access to services and responses. These differences partly reflect the priorities in the implementation and organization and different stages of management and prioritization⁷7. Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM, Almeida PF, Escorel S, Senna MCM, Fausto MCR, Delgado MM, Andrade CLT, Cunha MS, Martins MIC, Teixeira CP. Saúde da Família: limites e possibilidades para uma abordagem integral de Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil. Cien Saude Colet 2009; 14(3):783-794.^,1616. Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM. Atenção Primária à Saúde. In: Giovanella L, organizador. Políticas e sistemas de saúde no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz; 2012. p. 493-545.^,2424. Viana ALA, Rocha JSY, Elias PE, Ibañez N, Bousquat A. Atenção Básica e dinâmica urbana nos grandes municípios paulistas, Brasil. Cad Saude Publ 2008; 24(1):79-90.^,2525. Medina MG, Hartz ZMA. O papel do Programa Saúde da Família na organização da atenção primária em sistemas municipais de saúde. Cad Saude Publ 2009; 25(5):1153-1167..

The study also noted another dimension beyond widening the coverage for the family health care medical teams in Brazil which was the prioritization of services such as: house visits to vulnerable families which aims to promote more social inclusion and a reduction in health inequality. The PNAD 2008 showed that among the households registered, 31.0% had monthly incomes per capita to the value of ½ and one minimum monthly Brazilian salary. 54.0% of households had an income of up to two minimum Brazilian monthly salaries. There was a reduction in this proportion in as much as household incomes increased per capita to 16.3% with household incomes above five minimum monthly Brazilian salaries. Also in a similar fashion, the levels of education, was connected to household income. In 2008 households that had occupants with no or little schooling (less than one year of education), 63.8% were registered on the Family Health Program. In households in which the person in question had 11 years or more of education, this percentage was 33.5%¹⁴14. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios. Um panorama da saúde no Brasil. Acesso e utilização de serviços, condições de saúde e fatores de risco e proteção à saúde 2008. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2010..

Similar behavior in relation to levels of education and income were found in the PNS in 2013. Therefore when the level of education in a population is lower, this suggests greater coverage through the Family Health Program. In relation to the coverage amongst the households, where the main breadwinner of which had less than one year of formal education, 66.3% had completed some form of basic education. Households where the main earner had the equivalent of 12 years of education, they represented 48.3% and 26.6% was the percentage for those that had completed higher education. Significant differences were also observed between urban and rural areas, the coverage proportion being 50.6% and 70.9% respectively. This data shows that SUS’s goal of prioritizing coverage for at risk populations (the most vulnerable, low levels of education, low income etc) has been met⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002.^,1212. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Acesso e Utilização dos Serviços de Saúde, Acidentes e Violências. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2015.^,2525. Medina MG, Hartz ZMA. O papel do Programa Saúde da Família na organização da atenção primária em sistemas municipais de saúde. Cad Saude Publ 2009; 25(5):1153-1167.. In the future, where there is a greater availability of income data, new analysis will be possible²⁶26. Albuquerque MSV, Lyra TM, Farias SF, Mendes MFM, Martelli PJL. Acessibilidade aos serviços de saúde: uma análise a partir da Atenção Básica em Pernambuco. Saúde Debate 2014; 38(n. esp.):182-194.. The PNS argues on the importance of the Family Health Program in promoting equality in the country and reducing vulnerability in as much as it is possible to guarantee access to at risk populations which are often poor.

The indicator which is home visits also showed that the regular visits (such as on a monthly basis) by the ACS and the other members of the Family Health team are more frequent for sectors of the population with lower levels of education. This showed the prioritization for the most vulnerable in the population. But there were more people who had not been visited at their homes amongst the population with high incomes. The PMAQ study found that the percentage of household visits by the Family Health team in the 1st cycle was 70%. Also the teams established priorities in relation to families that are going to be visited, due to the vulnerability of these families²⁷27. Pinto HA, Sousa A. O Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica: reflexões sobre o seu desenho e processo de implantação. RECIIS 2012; 6(Supl. 2):2012..

Basic primary care constitutes an important entry point into SUS as it is the first contact that the population have with the health service. At this point it is responsible for dealing with the majority of problems and needs that present themselves. Among its principle ones, we can highlight: the personal care and attention that should be given to service user during their lives, the continuous building of relationships between service users and medical staff, the capacity to deal with all health problems (finding positive outcomes for more than 85% of problems), coordination - the ability to coordinate responses to various needs which means adopting an approach that favors equal treatment for all promotes. The other principles are: multidisciplinary teams where service users have access to specialists at any point during their treatment⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002..

Past studies have shown that access to primary health care contributes, not only to the reduction in the numbers of hospital admissions (thus improving the indicators), but also in the reduction of socio-economic inequality. It can improves people´s quality of life, equality in general and the population’s health⁴4. Starfield B. Atenção Primária: equilíbrio entre necessidades de saúde, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2002.^,2828. Kringos DS, Boerma WGW, Bourgueil Y, Cartier T, Hasvold T, Hutchinson A, Lember M, Oleszszyk M, Pavlic DR, Svab I, Tedeschi P, Wilson A, Windak A, Dedeu T, Wilm S. The european primary care monitor: structure, process and outcome indicators. BMC Family Practice 2010; 11(1):81.. The increase in coverage and the widening of family health care is an important promotor for equality¹⁹19. Kringos DS, Boerma WGW, Hutchinson A, Zee JVD, Groenewegen PP. The breadth of primary care: a systematic literature review of its core dimensions. BMC Health Services Research 2010; 10(1):65-78.. SUS has completed its mission by using the ESF to direct the health care.

Penchansky²⁹29. Penchansky R, Thomas JW. The concept of access: definition and relationship to consumer satisfaction. Medical Care 1981; 19(2):127-140. highlights five potential access dimensions to health services: availability, accessibility, geography, accommodation, the ability to pay for the services and acceptability. The increase in coverage and the wide geographical distribution of the basic health centers has allowed the ESF to promote access to SUS and this also has meant more capacity to meet the needs of service users.

As for the limitations of the study, the interviewees gave their opinions on their perceptions of the coverage of the family health care teams. One resident would speak on behalf of all the others in their households. Data in relation to the coverage for home visits could be subject to bias based on the information from the residents. Also the use of comparative data with the PNAD 2008 can be limited in its use due to: the difference in the sample process from the two studies, the PNS’s bigger sample spread and the different methodologies used. The comparison with administrative data can be subjected to information limitations from the Health Information System.

Also the theme that is being dealt with refers to the coverage of the services and not necessarily the quality of the care. According to Donabedian³⁰30. Donabedian A. The quality of care: how can it be assessed? JAMA 1988; 260(12):1743-1748., the structure is an important element in quality of the care. There are, however, other dimensions to ensure the quality of the care given such as: the work process, inputs, flux, accessibility, equality, amongst others.

Due to the evidence, the Health Ministry has been investing in widening the coverage of the Family Health Care teams by better understanding how the strategy works in improving health care outcomes. Apart from widening the coverage, the Health Ministry implemented the National Program to Improve Access to and the Quality of Basic Health Care (PMAQ-AB) which has reinforced a culture of using contracts and conducting evaluations in basic health care. It also collected information about the structure and the functioning conditions of the UBSs and the quality of the care³¹31. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade na Atenção Básica (PMAQ) [site da internet]. [acessado 2015 ago 26]. Disponível em: http://dab.saude.gov.br/portaldab/cidadao_pmaq2.php?conteudo=entenda_pmaq
http://dab.saude.gov.br/portaldab/cidada... . Other prominent measures taken include an increase in finances for: the Basic Health Program for Improving the UBSs, the Brazilian Tele-health Program Network, the Program for Valuing Basic Health Care, and the More Doctors Program²⁷27. Pinto HA, Sousa A. O Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica: reflexões sobre o seu desenho e processo de implantação. RECIIS 2012; 6(Supl. 2):2012..

Conclusion

The study found that more than half of the population concerns be registered in family health units, being higher in rural areas, and has been growth in coverage in the last five years. Prioritizing risk families points, strategy, another important dimension is that the reduction of inequalities.

We also point out that the SNP of margin calls are similar to administrative records of the DAB, pointing consistency of administrative data and the opportunity to use them in new analyzes of the ESF.

There are numerous challenges in the consolidation of primary care in the country, and certainly the increase in coverage is a critical step, but are still needed others related to improving the management, integration of primary care with the network of health services, financing, solving , quality of care, among others, which is essential for ensuring equitable and comprehensive care.

References

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