OBJECTIVES: to identify segments of the population excluded from the health system or requiring specific and oriented action from the health services. METHODS:household survey using a two-stage cluster sample comprised of 1.099 children under five years old, residing in the municipality of Embu, São Paulo in 1996. Living conditions were stratified into four bands; the sampling process considered two independent populations: children under one year old and children between one and four years old. Indicators of prenatal and perinatal care and child's health attention were investigated. Statistical analysis: estimates of proportions, standard errors and confidence intervals (95%) were calculated, utilizing the Csample: Epi-info 6.04 program. RESULTS: in all the bands, over 90% of the mothers had prenatal assistance, although with a tendency towards later access in band four (shantytowns). Around 80% of the children under one year old were followed up by healthcare clinics; the basic health units were principally utilized for vaccinations (97,4%) and checkups (79,0%), especially for band four, and the other healthcare facilities were utilized for medical visits without appointments. For band one (best conditions), there was a greater demand for private and health insurance services. For acute affections healthcare facilities services were the option for almost 100% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: no segments of the population were identified as being excluded from the health system; some indicators pointed towards deficiencies for all bands, some of which were more accentuated for band four.
Maternal and child health; Perinatal care; Quality indicators; health care; Vaccination; Equity
