Adequacy of care for people with arterial hypertension in Brazil: National Health Survey, 2013 and 2019

Abstract

Objective: To analyze adequacy of care received by adults and elderly people with arterial hypertension, and its association with region of the country, demographic, socioeconomic and health system characteristics in Brazil in 2013 and 2019. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using National Health Survey data. People aged ≥18 years with diagnosis of hypertension and medical consultation for this reason in the last three years were included. Adequacy of care was analyzed based on 11 indicators and using Poisson regression. Results: Adequate care was provided to 11,129 people with hypertension (25.3%; 95%CI 24.5;26.1) in 2013 and to 19,107 (18.8%; 95%CI 18.2;19.3) in 2019. Adequate care prevalence was 2.54 (95%CI 2.03;3.17) times higher in 2013, and 3.53 (95%CI 2.94;4.23) times higher in 2019 among individuals belonging to the highest socioeconomic quintile compared to those belonging to the poorest. Conclusion: We identified that care decreased, and economic inequalities intensified in the period 2013-2019.