ABSTRACT:
Objective:
To describe health care indicators in adults with self-reported hypertension in Brazil, according to socio-demographic characteristics.
Methods:
Data from the National Health Survey 2013, a cross-sectional population-based study, about health care of self-reported hypertension and health services were used. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for sex, age, race/color skin and schooling levels, representing Brazil and major regions.
Results:
Hypertension was reported by 21.4% (95%CI 20.8 - 22.0) of respondents, being higher in women and in people without instruction and incomplete middle school. Among these, 45.9% (95%CI 44.0 - 47.7) reported having received medical care for the last time in a basic health unit; 81.4% (95%CI 80.1 - 82.7) reported taking medication for high blood pressure; and 92.0% (95%CI 91.2 - 92.8) reported having taken all requested complementary examinations.
Conclusion:
It is important to know the coverage and access to health services for the care of patients with hypertension, in order to improve care quality and reduce identified inequalities.
Keywords:
Chronic disease; Hypertension; Health surveys; Health Services; Delivery of health care; Epidemiology, descriptive.
