Health demands of young Brazilians: profile and manifestations of the population aged 15 to 29 years to the SUS General Ombudsman (2014-2018)

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the profile and the main demands presented by young people (15 to 29 years old) to the Unified  Health System (SUS) General Ombudsman  of the Ministry of Health of Brazil. The  databases ‘manifestations’ and ‘citizen  profile’ of the System were extracted from  the OuvidorSUS computerized system,  referring to the years 2014 to 2018.  The  profile was disaggregated by age,  race/color, gender, sexual orientation,  education, occupation, and income. 114,618  manifestations were registered  with the  citizen’s profile, with 15.17% being by  people from 15 to 29 years old. Blacks  (including pardos), women, heterosexuals,  with completed or ongoing higher  education, income of up to 2 minimum wages, and employed in the private sector  prevailed. Most of the manifestations were  ‘requests’, followed by ‘complaints’ and  ‘denunciations’. Most requests were for  consultations and surgeries, in the areas of  gynecology and obstetrics, and orthopedics  and traumatology. Complaints and  denunciations were largely related to  management, especially to health  professionals and establishments. The  suggestions were the least frequent. The  demands largely reflect the services used by  young people and should be considered  by managers to guide health policies  appropriate to this population.