Evaluation of universal access to health care through the SUS health care in formation system: Brazil, 1995 and 1998

Abstract

Objectives:

this article evaluates the universality of access to health care through the Sistema Onico de Saúde (S US) through the access to different leveis of complexity in clinic and hospital facilities.

Methods:

the Ambulatorial and Hospital Information System data bank was used (SIA/S US and SIH/S US) as source of information. The universality was analyzed by indicators of coverage and concentration ofprocedures per inhabitant/ year, observing the access between 1995 and 1998 in Brazil's regions.

Results:

the results showed a decrease in the hospitalization and an increase in the ambulatorial productivity and in total expenditures on health care. However, the growth was not redistributive, remaining concentrated in the South and Southeast, especially when the procedures are more expensive/complex.

Conclusions:

the article concludes that, although there has been improvement in access to the system, especially for the primary health care, there is still work to be done to achieve compliance with the constitutional principies of universality and equity in health care in Brazil.

Key words
Health care; Health information systems; Health services accessibilit