Epidemiology of physiotherapy utilization among adults and elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the prevalence of physiotherapy utilization and to explore the variables associated to its utilization.


METHODS
A population-based cross-sectional study, including 3,100 subjects aged 20 years or more living in the urban area of Pelotas, southern Brazil, was carried out. The sample was selected following a multiple-stage protocol; the census tracts delimited by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) were the primary sample units. Following descriptive and crude analyses, Poisson regression models taking the clustering of the sample into account were carried out. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a standardized and pre-tested questionnaire.


RESULTS
The lifetime utilization of physiotherapy was 30.2%; and physiotherapy utilization in the 12 months prior to the interview was reported by 4.9%. Women, elderly subjects, and those from higher socioeconomic levels were more likely to use physiotherapy. Restricting analysis to subjects who attended physiotherapy, 66% used public health services, 25% used insurance health services and 9% had private sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first population-based study on physiotherapy utilization carried out in Brazil. Utilization of physio therapy was lower than reported in both developed and developing countries. The study findings might help public health authorities to organize healthcare service in terms of this important demand.
Siqueira
Fernando Vinholes
FV
Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil. fcvisqueira@uol.com.br
Facchini
Luiz Augusto
LA
Hallal
Pedro Curi
PC
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population