Primary health organization models and care practices for people with disabilities in Brazil

Abstract

The scope of the Care Network for People with Disabilities in Brazil is to enhance access to, and improve health care for, people with disabilities (PwD) with the participation of primary health care (PHC). The objective of this study was to estimate the association between the PHC organization model and health practices aimed at PwD at this level of care. It involved a cross-sectional study with 1,377 qualified PHC professionals in 8 Brazilian states, part of the REDECIN-BRASIL survey. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the association between the PHC model and the Family Health Strategy (FHS) Model and the frequency of care aimed at PwDs. The Traditional PHC Model revealed a positive and statistically significant association with a lower frequency of practices aimed at PwD in PHC, compared to the FHS model, with regression adjustment for knowledge about the care network for PwD. Prenatal care, home care and health education are more frequent practices in the FHS model, however, creating lines of care, clinical protocols, intersectoral actions and articulation with community resources are still challenges for both models.