ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and demands of the families under follow-up at Social Assistance Referral Center (Cras) of Santa Marta, municipality of Belford Roxo, State of Rio de Janeiro, from 2006 to 2017. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study whose data were retrieved from the families’ accompanying records. A total of 87 families were followed up within the study period. Most of the family heads were female (92.0%), under 40 (59.8%), single (92.0%) and incomplete elementary school (89.7%). Main demands referred to noncompliance with the Bolsa Família Program (28.7%) and school dropout (26.4%) conditionalities. Health service (33.3%) showed the greatest intersectoral referral. The median following-up time was 53 months. There was no difference in the following-up time due to the age group, gender, informal or precarious employment relationship, benefit payment, access type, demand type, and follow-up plan registration (p≥0,272). Spontaneous demand was the reason for most of the families to be under follow-up (86.2%), although no record existed on their vulnerability situation. The identification of the families in the need to be followed is important to guarantee access to social and care rights, besides contributing to overcome the existing social inequalities.
KEYWORDS
Human rights; Public policy; Social welfare; Low-income population; Family
