Access determinants and use of health services among the elderly

Abstract

this study aimed to describe the characteristics related to access to and use of health services, and verify factors associated with the use of services among the elderly. This is a cross-sectional analytical study conducted with 705 urban elderly in Uberaba/Minas Gerais. Were used: structured instrument related to socioeconomic data, Katz, Lawton and Brody scales and Fried Fragility Phenotype; and questionnaire from the National Survey by Domicile Sample for access and use of health services. The procedure was the descriptive and logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). It was found that 86.2% accessed the same place or the same doctor when they needed care; 86.5% consulted a doctor in the last 12 months; 85.2% were using continuous medication, from this 40.4% received part of their medicines; and those who did not receive all medications, 86.1% effected the purchase. Most went to the dentist last three years or more (54.2%) while 21.7% for less than one year, and 16.9% used health services in the two weeks preceding the interview. Polypharmacy (OR: 2.88; p=0.026) and the perception of negative health (OR: 1.89; p=0.009) were consolidated as factors associated with the use of health services. The knowledge of standard consumption and related factors enables the service organization as the presented characteristics.