Association between positive assessment of Primary Health Care, sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities in Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe positive evaluations of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil from the perspective of users and their association with sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities. Methods: Analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey, in which 9,562 adults responded to the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool). The association between positive PHC assessment (overall score ≥6.6) and individual characteristics was tested using Prevalence Ratios (PR) calculated by Poisson Regression. Results: Less than 40% of Brazilians rated PHC with a high score. Regarding the association of sociodemographic variables with high PHC assessment, adjusted for sex and age, the best PHC assessments were made by women [PRaj 1.10 (95%CI 1.00–1.21)]; elderly (60 years and over) [PRaj 1.27 (95%CI 1.09–1.48); people with a per capita income of 1 to 3 minimum wages (MW) PRaj 1.14 (95%CI 1.03–1.27) and ≥5 MW PRaj 1.75 (95%CI 1.39–2.21) when comparing with income up to 1 MW; residents of the South, Southeast and Midwest regions, compared to the North Region. Considering comorbidities, individuals with hypertension PRaj1,29 (95%CI 1.17–1.43); diabetes PRaj 1.21 (95%CI 1.08–1.36); heart disease PRaj 1.23 (95%CI 1.07–1.41); musculoskeletal disorders PRaj 1.36 (95%CI 1.10–1.69); lung disease PRaj 1.48 (95%CI 1.13–1.95) and obesity PRaj 1.15 (95%CI 1.03–1.28) rated PHC better when compared to normal weight people. Conclusion: Users who evaluate PHC well are usually women, elderly, with high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases. A positive evaluation of PHC, in general, results from greater use of health services.