Social inequalities in the use of health care services: evidences from a population-based health survey in a city in southeastern Brazil
1
Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
2
Saúde Coletiva, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1378
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The importance of addressing social inequalities in health stems from the observation of increasing income concentration worldwide, with levels in 2010 similar to those in 1910. The objective of this study is to analyze the prevalence of healthcare service use and the social inequalities present in access to healthcare services.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Campinas Municipal Health Survey (ISACamp) 2022/23/24. Sampling was probabilistic, stratified, and conducted in two stages. Data were analyzed using Stata 19.5, using the survey module. Independent variables included sex, age group, and health insurance plan. Prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson multiple regression.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of medical consultations (in the last month and in the last year) was significantly higher among the elderly, women, and people with health insurance plans. Regarding hospitalizations, considering surgeries in the last year and throughout life, the differences between age groups showed statistical significance for all three indicators, with differences by sex only for surgeries and by health insurance coverage only for any surgery in life. Most hospitalizations and surgeries were paid for through the Unified Health System (SUS), while most consultations in the last month were paid for through health insurance. The reasons for using services are mainly related to routine care and illnesses, with the elderly indicating less use for routine care; adults and people with health insurance coverage indicate less use for acute illnesses; and women indicate less use for injuries.
CONCLUSIONS:
The ISACamp survey indicates that the prevalence of health service use in the city of Campinas in the last year was 80.4%, with differences according to sex, age group, and health insurance coverage. The results show the expansion of health services, particularly the SUS, but also show that inequalities in access to health services still exist.
The importance of addressing social inequalities in health stems from the observation of increasing income concentration worldwide, with levels in 2010 similar to those in 1910. The objective of this study is to analyze the prevalence of healthcare service use and the social inequalities present in access to healthcare services.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Campinas Municipal Health Survey (ISACamp) 2022/23/24. Sampling was probabilistic, stratified, and conducted in two stages. Data were analyzed using Stata 19.5, using the survey module. Independent variables included sex, age group, and health insurance plan. Prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson multiple regression.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of medical consultations (in the last month and in the last year) was significantly higher among the elderly, women, and people with health insurance plans. Regarding hospitalizations, considering surgeries in the last year and throughout life, the differences between age groups showed statistical significance for all three indicators, with differences by sex only for surgeries and by health insurance coverage only for any surgery in life. Most hospitalizations and surgeries were paid for through the Unified Health System (SUS), while most consultations in the last month were paid for through health insurance. The reasons for using services are mainly related to routine care and illnesses, with the elderly indicating less use for routine care; adults and people with health insurance coverage indicate less use for acute illnesses; and women indicate less use for injuries.
CONCLUSIONS:
The ISACamp survey indicates that the prevalence of health service use in the city of Campinas in the last year was 80.4%, with differences according to sex, age group, and health insurance coverage. The results show the expansion of health services, particularly the SUS, but also show that inequalities in access to health services still exist.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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