Perception of quality of life among primary health care users in a brazilian municipality
1
Medical Graduate, Higher School of Sciences of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Vitória, Vitoria, Brazil
2
Potsgraduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1528
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Quality of life (QoL) is an important public health indicator, as it reflects physical, psychological, social, and economic conditions of the population. In Primary Health Care (PHC), assessing users’ perceptions helps identify vulnerabilities and strengthen comprehensive care strategies, especially in urban settings marked by social inequalities. Despite its relevance, studies addressing QoL from users’ perspectives remain limited in local contexts, particularly in middle-income countries.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted with 641 adult users attended at Family Health Units. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a questionnaire based on validated instruments, including questions adapted from the WHOQOL-100. Sociodemographic variables, financial perception, physical activity, sleep characteristics, use of sleep medication, access to health services, and self-rated quality of life were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
There was a predominance of females (68%), married individuals (41.3%), and participants with children (77.5%). Most had an income between one and two minimum wages (42.1%) and did not have private health insurance (68.6%). Regarding self-rated quality of life, 55.3% assigned a score of eight or higher. However, 32.8% reported financial insufficiency to meet basic needs. Physical activity was reported by 52.3% of participants. Regarding sleep, 73.9% slept less than eight hours per night, and 23.6% used sleep medication.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although overall perception of quality of life was positive, factors such as economic vulnerability, sleep deprivation, and medication use reveal significant fragilities, reinforcing the importance of integrated actions within PHC.
Quality of life (QoL) is an important public health indicator, as it reflects physical, psychological, social, and economic conditions of the population. In Primary Health Care (PHC), assessing users’ perceptions helps identify vulnerabilities and strengthen comprehensive care strategies, especially in urban settings marked by social inequalities. Despite its relevance, studies addressing QoL from users’ perspectives remain limited in local contexts, particularly in middle-income countries.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted with 641 adult users attended at Family Health Units. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a questionnaire based on validated instruments, including questions adapted from the WHOQOL-100. Sociodemographic variables, financial perception, physical activity, sleep characteristics, use of sleep medication, access to health services, and self-rated quality of life were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
There was a predominance of females (68%), married individuals (41.3%), and participants with children (77.5%). Most had an income between one and two minimum wages (42.1%) and did not have private health insurance (68.6%). Regarding self-rated quality of life, 55.3% assigned a score of eight or higher. However, 32.8% reported financial insufficiency to meet basic needs. Physical activity was reported by 52.3% of participants. Regarding sleep, 73.9% slept less than eight hours per night, and 23.6% used sleep medication.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although overall perception of quality of life was positive, factors such as economic vulnerability, sleep deprivation, and medication use reveal significant fragilities, reinforcing the importance of integrated actions within PHC.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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