Abstract
Objective
To analyze the use of specialized public health services by older adults, by sex and age group, in the city of Porto Alegre.
Methods
A cross-sectional study with secondary data from the city's outpatient and inpatient consultation systems. All records from 2019 were used, and Pearson's chi-square test was applied.
Results
In total, 64,888 older people sought specialized services, generating 113.694 visits (82,8% outpatient visits and 17.2% hospitalizations). It was found that 74.7% of the older adults were referred by primary care for specialized care, with higher percentages of young older people and women (p<0.001). On the other hand, men and older adults aged 80 years or older were referred more frequently for care from hospitals and emergency rooms (p<0.001). Women and older adults between 60 and 79 years old used outpatient centers, physical therapy, rehabilitation centers, dentistry and mental health in greater proportion (p<0.001). The main reasons for using specialized services were diseases of the circulatory system, being more expressive among older adults aged 80 years or older and men (p<0.001). Musculoskeletal diseases (22.5%) were the main reasons for outpatient consultations and, in emergency hospitalizations, diseases of the circulatory system (37.9%). Older adults with a history of outpatient consultations had fewer hospital admissions (p<0.001).
Conclusion
The need for articulated actions by health services is highlighted, prioritizing the male and long-lived population, focusing on the prevention/control of non-communicable chronic diseases and the vulnerabilities of this stage of life.
Keywords
Health Services Accessibility; Comprehensive Health Care; Health Services Research; Aged