Access to and use of health services by rural elderly, Brazil, 1998 and 2003

We analyzed access to health services and the utilization of such services by elderly rural residents in Brazil in 2003, comparing the patterns to those of the urban elderly and the equivalent rural pattern in 1998, using data from the National Household Sample Survey. Access barriers were greater i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cadernos de saúde pública 2007-10, Vol.23 (10), p.2490-2502
Main Authors: Travassos, Claudia, Viacava, Francisco
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Brazil - epidemiology
Brazil - Health conditions
Chronic Disease - epidemiology
Epidemiologic Methods
Female
Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data
Health Services for the Aged - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Old age - Medical care
Public health - Brazil
Rural Population
Urban Population
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Summary:We analyzed access to health services and the utilization of such services by elderly rural residents in Brazil in 2003, comparing the patterns to those of the urban elderly and the equivalent rural pattern in 1998, using data from the National Household Sample Survey. Access barriers were greater in rural as compared to urban areas. Health services utilization was less than in the urban elderly, even for rural elders who reported health problems. There was no difference in hospitalization rates among rural and urban elderly. Analysis of the health services that were used showed that there was limited access to services with intermediate complexity. The results suggest that access barriers increase even further with advancing age. Gender differences in utilization, generally favoring women, are more marked in the rural elderly. Financial barriers are also more evident. The health services supply should be expanded and adapted to the territorial, cultural, and social characteristics of the rural elderly.
ISSN:0102-311X
DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2007001000023