PERFIL DE UTILIZAÇÃO DOS SERVIÇOS DE SAÚDE POR PESSOAS IDOSAS RESIDENTES EM UMA COMUNIDADE RURAL DA AMAZÔNIA BRASILEIRA

This study aimed to describe the characteristics related to health services utilization amongst elderly people living in a rural community in a municipality in the Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional household survey involving all elderly individuals (≥60 years old) living in the core of the rural community of Novo Remanso, Itacoatiara, Amazonas was conducted. The utilization of health services was described using prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals. The study assessed registration in the family health strategy, time since the last medical and dental visit, and health services utilization in the previous two weeks. A total of 301 elderly people (50.5% male) with a mean age of 72.5 ± 8.4 years were included. Most of the participants had a medical visit in the last twelve months and had a dental appointment in the last three years. Most elderly people in the rural community attended the last visit at the local primary healthcare unit, which was the main healthcare service of choice for first assistance when needed. Many elderly people reported not having a second option for healthcare services, highlighting the importance of primary care to overcome the identified barriers of access.