title: Prevalence of having a regular doctor, associated factors, and the effect on health services utilization: a population-based study in Southern Brazil.
abstract: In order to assess the prevalence of having a regular doctor, associated factors, and the effects on health services utilization, a cross-sectional study was performed in Rio Grande, Brazil, from January to May 2000. A total of 1,260 individuals 15 years or over were interviewed. Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, using a Poisson regression model. Some 37% of the sample had a regular doctor. Adjusted analysis revealed a direct and linear association with income. Female gender, age, private health insurance coverage, and chronic health problems were also associated with the outcome. Having a regular physician was associated with a 51% increase in clinical breast examination and a 62% increase in cervical cancer screening during the previous year, as well as a 98% increase in prostate cancer screening in the previous year in men 40 years or over. The study concluded that the prevalence of having a regular doctor in Brazil is low and is directly associated with socioeconomic factors. Individuals with a regular physician tend to have better access to health services. The promotion of consultation with a regular doctor among the population may improve health care quality and health services access, particularly in the poorest groups.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Funda o Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, 96201-900, Brasil. rams@iname.com
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Sassi
authors.forename: Jorge U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Béria
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors