222781 Performance of the Family Health Program in the Brazilian South and Northeast Regions

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Luiz Augusto Facchini, Dr , Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Roberto Xavier Piccini, MSC , Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Elaine Tomasi, Dr , School of Psychology, University Catolic of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Elaine Thumé, Dr , Nursing Scool, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Denise Silva da Silveira, Dr , Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Fatima dos Santos Maia, Dr , Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Alessander Osorio, Mr , Social Medicine Departament, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Fernando Vinholes Siqueira, Dr , Phisioterapy, University Catolic of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Alitea Santiago Dilelio, MSC , Social Medicine, University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Suéle Manjourany Silva, MSC , Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
     
The research is a baseline study to assess the performance of the Family Health Program (FHP) in 41 Brazilian municipalities over 100,000 inhabitants in the Northeast and in the South regions. A cross-sectional study using an external group of comparison (traditional primary care) characterized the structure and work process of 240 Primary Health Care (PHC) centers, involving 4.794 health workers. At household were interviewed 4.079 children, 3.945 women, 4.060 adults and 4.006 elderly. The coverage of FHP increased more in the Northeast than in the South. The performance of FHP was significantly better than that of the traditional PHC centers regarding services delivery, PHC workers training and population coverage. Ante-natal care, well-baby care, elderly care, including home care, educational activities, health counseling related to physical activity and medical consultation for mental health, hypertension and diabetes were significantly more frequent and equitative in the FHP than in the traditional care, in both regions. Therefore around a half of the potential users used the PHC centers in their neighborhood. The FHP was successful in promoting equity, because its presence was usually higher in the poorest and most vulnerable areas, which strengthens its effect in improving PHC in the country. Despite the limitations regarding the structure of the PHC centers, common to both models, the FHP do more for those in need. The results highlight the potential of comprehensive epidemiological studies to plan and assess the policy related to primary health care in Brazil and elsewhere.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Epidemiology
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To assess the performance of the Family Health Program compared to the traditional model of primary health care by analyzing the structure and work processes of services, provision of comprehensive services and population coverage in the neighborhood area.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Community Health Centers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator of the research team that carried out the research which results will be presented during the meeting. I've participated in the study design, analisys, writing and reviewing. I am a professor at the University of Pelotas, Brazil, with experience in coordinating large epidemiologic studies in the fields of occupational health and health services assessment.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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