Abstract

LIMA-COSTA, Maria Fernanda  and  LOYOLA FILHO, Antônio Ignácio de. Associated factors to the use and the satisfaction with heath services among National Health System users in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2008, vol.17, n.4, pp.247-257. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742008000400002.

The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with use and satisfaction with health services among National Health System (SUS) users in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (RMBH), State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A random sample of 8.604 adults participated. From them, 74% had one or more doctor visits in previous year and 68% would recommend the majority of the health professionals and services used. Older ages, female gender and higher formal education were positively and independently associated with use and satisfaction with the health services used; other characteristics associated with these outcomes were lifestyle and health status. Some of the above associations point out for the existence of the inverse care law. The results indicate that differences on use and satisfaction with health services, previously reported for more heterogeneous populations, are also observed among SUS users in the RMBH.

Keywords : health services use; satisfaction with health services; health survey; National Health System of Brazil.

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