Vulnerability of aged persons in access to services provided in Primary Care

Abstract

This household survey, with a descriptive design, aimed to identify programmatic vulnerability among the aged persons connected to the Family Health Strategy. This study occurred with 368 aged persons from the municipality of João Pessoa/PB from February to April 2014 through a structured interview. We conducted a descriptive data analysis and the Pearson's Chi-square test. Among the investigated population, 76.6% did not have a private health insurance and used the services provided by the Unified Health System (96.2%) more frequently. In addition, the aged persons living in areas of average social vulnerability showed higher demand for care in the public health units (96.5%). Sociodemographic conditions and social vulnerability can directly influence the search and access to health services by the elderly population.