Hearing health network: a spatial analysis.
BACKGROUND
In order to meet the demands of the patient population with hearing impairment, the Hearing Health Care Network was created, consisting of primary care actions of medium and high complexity. Spatial analysis through geoprocessing is a way to understand the organization of such services.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the organization of the Hearing Health Care Network of the State of Minas Gerais.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analytical study using geoprocessing techniques. The absolute frequency and the frequency per 1000 inhabitants of the following variables were analyzed: assessment and diagnosis, selection and adaptation of hearing aids, follow-up, and speech therapy. The spatial analysis unit was the health micro-region.


RESULTS
The assessment and diagnosis, selection, and adaptation of hearing aids and follow-up had a higher absolute number in the micro-regions with hearing health services. The follow-up procedure showed the lowest occurrence. Speech therapy showed higher occurrence in the state, both in absolute numbers, as well as per population.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of geoprocessing techniques allowed the identification of the care flow as a function of the procedure performance frequency, population concentration, and territory distribution. All procedures offered by the Hearing Health Care Network are performed for users of all micro-regions of the state.
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Camila Ferreira de
CF
Rezende
Department of Phonoaudiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: sicarvalho@medicina.ufmg.br.
Sirley Alves da Silva
SA
Carvalho
Escola de Saúde Pública do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Fernanda Jorge
FJ
Maciel
Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Junta Reguladora da Saúde Auditiva, Brazil.
Raimundo de
Rd
Oliveira Neto
Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Darlan Venâncio Thomaz
DV
Pereira
Department of Phonoaudiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Stela Maris Aguiar
SM
Lemos
D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D011640:Public Policy; D062206:Spatial Analysis
Atenção à saúde; Audiologia; Audiology; Avaliação de serviços de saúde; Health care (public health); Health services evaluation; Health surveys; Public health administration; Saúde pública; Sistema único de saúde