This study aims to describe the characteristics of Family Health Program (FHP) users sample in a Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Campo Bom, southern of Brazil. Based on data collected from the handbook of the first 200 patients attended in a specific BHU in January 2006, we analyzed sex, age, average number of medical and nursing consultations in the last twelve months and the reasons for requiring a BHU attendance. In this sample, 68% were female. Children represented 30.5% of the sample and 35.5% of the patients self-declared as married. In addition to that, 59% had not finished basic school. Almost half (42%) of the citizens presented some chronic disease as a complaint to go to a BUH and 17% were looking for preventive health care. In 2005, 17% of the sample had, at least, one nursing consulting and 46.5% of these had from one to four medical consultations. Chronicle diseases and its symptoms or complications represented a significant percentage of the sample and might be associated to the demands for BHU health assistance. Data collected shows the necessity of more investments to prevent complications and/or incapability. Based on a deep understanding of BHU patients' profile, family health teams can improve effectiveness of their health promotion actions focusing on community demands.
Family Health Program; Epidemiological studies; Epidemiology; Health services; SUS; Unified Health System
