Spatial analysis of the quality of Primary Health Care in Brazil

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the spatial distribution of the Primary Health Care (ABS) teams evaluated by the  National Program for Access and Quality  Improvement in Primary Health Care (PMAQ-AB)  according to the categories of performance for  certification in the Program. A spatial distribution  profile of the municipalities according to the PMAQ- AB evaluation was carried out, as well as the  identification of spatial patterns from a spatial  correlation indicator to evaluate the degree of space  influence for the certification of ABS teams. It was  found presence of spatial patterns in relation to ABS  quality. Municipalities with low values in the indicator,  whose neighbors are also low, are found in most of  the states of Acre, Amazonas, Roraima and Amapá, as  well as in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. High-high  standard clusters were observed in the  municipalities of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio  Grande do Sul, especially in Santa Catarina. The  identification of the spatial quality standards of ABS  can be a valuable resource for the further PMAQ-AB  development. It will be possible, thus, to develop  analyses that incorporate variables with explanatory  potential for the spatial patterns of ABS quality found  in Brazilian municipalities.