Hospitalizations of children for preventable conditions in the state of Parana: Causes and trends

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the trends of hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, according to the main causes among children under five years old. Method: Ecological time-series study carried out with data from the Hospital Information System of the State of Parana. The analysis was based on hospitalization rates and polynomial regression models according to age and cause. Results: The most frequent causes were pneumonia, gastroenteritis, asthma, kidney and urinary tract infection and nutritional disorders. Hospitalizations for pneumonia, asthma and nutritional deficiencies decreased among children under five and hospitalizations rates for gastroenteritis remained stable. There was an increase in hospitalization rates for kidney and urinary tract infection in all ages. Conclusion: Hospitalization for care-sensitive conditions among children under five years presented an increasing trend only for children under one year old. Hospitalizations for pneumonia, gastroenteritis, asthma and nutritional deficiencies showed a decreasing trend.