INTRODUÇÃO: O conceito de equidade enfatiza a diversidade como condição humana e propõe que a diferença seja tratada como princípio orientador das políticas públicas. O objetivo dessa investigação foi verificar a equidade na atenção à saúde de pessoas com indicativos de transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) na cidade de São Paulo. Foram analisadas a procura e utilização dos serviços de saúde, bem como o gasto com saúde no último mês de pessoas com indicativos de TMC, que referiram morbidade quinze dias precedentes à entrevista domiciliar, segundo características sociodemográficas e de condições de saúde. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal e utilizados os dados do Inquérito de Saúde no Município de São Paulo (ISA - Capital) de 2008. Foram selecionados sujeitos com 16 anos ou mais e com indicativos de transtornos mentais comuns; estes foram avaliados por meio do instrumento Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Foram analisados a procura e utilização de serviços de saúde, e o gasto com saúde no último mês, correlacionando com aspectos sociodemográficos e de condições de saúde. RESULTADOS: A procura pelo serviço de saúde foi menor entre as mulheres, maior na faixa etária dos 30 aos 44 anos e na faixa etária de 60 anos ou mais. A proporção de pessoas que procuraram pelo serviço e obtiveram atendimento foi elevada, o mesmo ocorreu para aquelas que procuraram por médico e foram atendidas por meio de consulta. A procura pelo SUS foi menor entre as pessoas de cor branca, de renda per capita elevada, com união estável e entre as pessoas com ensino superior. A cobertura pelo SUS foi menor para as pessoas das faixas etárias de 45 a 59 anos e de 60 anos ou mais, com renda per capita elevada, com Ensino Médio ou Técnico e Ensino Superior. As pessoas que gastaram mais com a saúde da família foram aquelas com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, de cor branca, das faixas de renda per capita mais elevadas, com união estável e com Ensino Superior. Em relação à posse de plano de saúde, pessoas de cor branca, com renda per capita elevada e indivíduos com doença crônica apresentaram maiores chances de possuir este serviço. CONCLUSÕES: Foi observado, na população com indicativos de TMC, que não houve desigualdades no acesso e utilização dos serviços entre as pessoas que buscaram por ajuda diante de morbidade. Verificou-se que o SUS atende e cobre os gastos majoritariamente dos mais pobres, denotando uma cobertura desigual que favorece os mais necessitados, porém, considerando o fator idade, ficou explícita uma situação de iniquidade, pois foi constatado que o SUS oferece maior cobertura para a população mais jovem e não contempla as necessidades da população mais idosa. Além disso, verificou-se também uma demanda reprimida de pessoas que não acessaram o serviço, indicando barreiras que antecedem à busca / INTRODUCTION: The equity concept emphasizes diversity as a human condition and proposes this aspect as a guiding principle of the public policy. The objective of this investigation was to verify the equity in health care of people with signs of common mental disorders (CMD) in the city of São Paulo. We analyzed the demand and use of health services and the expenses on health in the last month of people with signs of CMD who reported morbidity 15 days before the home interview, according to socio-demographic characteristics and health conditions. METHODS: We developed a cross-sectional study and used the data from São Paulo\'s health survey (ISA - Capital) of 2008. We selected subjects with 16 years of age or older and with signs of common mental disorders; who were evaluated using the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). We analyzed the demand and the use of health services, and the health expenses in the last month, correlating them with sociodemographic and health condition aspects. RESULTS: The demand for health services was lower among women, higher in the age group from 30 to 44 years old and in the age group of 60 years old or more. The proportion of people who sought the service and were cared for was high, and the same thing happened to those who sought medical attention and had an appointment. The demand for SUS was lower among white people with high per capita income, married and among people with higher education degrees. The coverage of SUS was significantly lower for people aged between 45 and 59 years old and those aged 60 years old or more, with high per capita income, with high school, technical or college degree. The people who spent more on Family health were those with 60 years old or more, white, with high per capita income, married and with college degree. Regarding health care insurance ownership, white people with high per capita income and individuals with chronic diseases presented higher chances of owning a health care insurance. CONCLUSIONS: We observed, among people with signs of CMD, that there were no inequalities in the access and use of health services for those who sought for help faced with morbidity. We verified that SUS serves and covers the expenses mainly of the poorer, denoting an unequal coverage that favours the ones who need it the most, however, taking the age factor into account, a situation of inequity was explicit, since it was verified that SUS offers a wider coverage to the younger population and does not contemplate the needs of the elderly. In addition, there was also a repressed demand of people who could not access the health service, indicating barriers that precede the search

Background. The study objective was to determine how the population located in five remote rural areas responded to HIV testing offered by mobile clinics operating under Family Health International, an international NGO that provides health services, especially HIV prevention and family planning. The study sought to identify how different segments of the population, classified according to their socio-demographic characteristics, responded to HIV testing. The analysis is based on secondary data, collected between October 2009 and September 2010, on clients who came to seek health services at mobile clinics. The population is geographically located in five districts: OR Tambo in Eastern Cape, Amajuba in KwaZulu-Natal, Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga, and Sekhukhune in Limpopo. Although these mobile clincs provided comprehensive health services, HIV prevention and family planning were the main focus of attention. Methods. A total number of 9015 individuals aged 18 years and older visited the mobile clinics during the period October 2009 to September 2010. Eight socio-demographic characteristics were collected and used to determine the association between HIV testing and the aforementioned eight variables. The association between the independent variables (sex, age, level of education, marital status, occupation, number of living children, district of residence and area of residence) and HIV testing (the dependent variables) was first investigated using a descriptive analysis and then performing a logistic regression. Results. More than 88% of individuals aged 18 years and older who visited the mobile clinics in the areas covered by the FHI project are from rural areas. HIV testing is still low in these areas, even though the services are provided close to their homes by the mobile clinics. It was found that only 34.7% of the mobile clinic’s clients tested for HIV during the period from October 2009 to September 2010. Out of eight independent variables included in the logistic regression model, five were found to have a statistically significant association with HIV testing, being: sex, age, education, occupation and area of residence Although the majority of these mobile clinics’ clients are females (77.1%), males tested in higher proportion than females accross all areas. The results showed that HIV testing decreases with age, with the age category 18 - 24 years testing for HIV in higher proportion than the age group 25 - 34 years and decreasing further when people become older. Individuals are more likely to take an HIV test when their level of education is higher than matric and tend to respond the same to a HIV testing offer when they have no education, primary or secondary level. Employment was found to be an enabling factor to test for HIV. People who are employed tested for HIV in a higher proportion than people who were unemployed or still in school. The area of residence (classified as rural, semi-urban and urban) showed that HIV testing is higher in urban than in semi-urban areas, and low in rural areas. The analysis by sex showed that education is important for women because women who had either primary, secondary or a higher level of education tested for HIV better than women who do not have any level of education. For males, education was not statistically significant regarding HIV testing. The different age groups showed the same pattern for both sexes regarding HIV testing, but young males in the category 18-24 years showed higher odds of testing for HIV than females in the same age category. With occupation variable, females who are either students or employed tested for HIV almost in the same proportion and their odds of testing for HIV were double that of unemployed females. Employed males showed a notably higher difference in testing for HIV than males who were either in school or unemployed. The area of residence showed the same pattern for males and females, with both testing in higher proportions in urban and semi-urban areas than in rural areas. Conclusion. Women from rural areas, with no education, were found to test for HIV less than any other individual in the areas under study. Women tested better when they had been exposed to any form of education. The provision of education to women in the form of an extensive and aggressive door to door HIV awareness campaign should therefore make a difference in increasing the uptake of HIV testing in the five areas covered by the mobile clinics. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Objective: To determine whether continuity of care (COC) reduces emergency department (ED) visits and/or readmission in adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective cohort of adolescents discharged with psychiatric disorder between April 1, 2002 and March 1, 2004 was identified using hospital administrative databases. Good COC was defined as at least one aftercare contact in 30 days. Confounding by patient characteristics was adjusted for by propensity-score-matching of good and poor COC adolescents. Cox PH was used to analyze time to outcome. Results: 48.77% of adolescents had good COC. 38.39% of adolescents had ED visit or readmission in the year post-discharge. Good COC increased risk of readmission (HR = 1.38 (1.14 – 1.66)), but not of ED visits (HR = 1.14 (0.95 – 1.37)). Conclusions: COC increased risk of readmission by 38% but did not increase risk of ED visits. These findings are contextualized. Implications to adolescent mental health service delivery are discussed.

Objective: To determine whether continuity of care (COC) reduces emergency department (ED) visits and/or readmission in adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective cohort of adolescents discharged with psychiatric disorder between April 1, 2002 and March 1, 2004 was identified using hospital administrative databases. Good COC was defined as at least one aftercare contact in 30 days. Confounding by patient characteristics was adjusted for by propensity-score-matching of good and poor COC adolescents. Cox PH was used to analyze time to outcome. Results: 48.77% of adolescents had good COC. 38.39% of adolescents had ED visit or readmission in the year post-discharge. Good COC increased risk of readmission (HR = 1.38 (1.14 – 1.66)), but not of ED visits (HR = 1.14 (0.95 – 1.37)). Conclusions: COC increased risk of readmission by 38% but did not increase risk of ED visits. These findings are contextualized. Implications to adolescent mental health service delivery are discussed.

INTRODUÇÃO: O conceito de equidade enfatiza a diversidade como condição humana e propõe que a diferença seja tratada como princípio orientador das políticas públicas. O objetivo dessa investigação foi verificar a equidade na atenção à saúde de pessoas com indicativos de transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) na cidade de São Paulo. Foram analisadas a procura e utilização dos serviços de saúde, bem como o gasto com saúde no último mês de pessoas com indicativos de TMC, que referiram morbidade quinze dias precedentes à entrevista domiciliar, segundo características sociodemográficas e de condições de saúde. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal e utilizados os dados do Inquérito de Saúde no Município de São Paulo (ISA - Capital) de 2008. Foram selecionados sujeitos com 16 anos ou mais e com indicativos de transtornos mentais comuns; estes foram avaliados por meio do instrumento Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Foram analisados a procura e utilização de serviços de saúde, e o gasto com saúde no último mês, correlacionando com aspectos sociodemográficos e de condições de saúde. RESULTADOS: A procura pelo serviço de saúde foi menor entre as mulheres, maior na faixa etária dos 30 aos 44 anos e na faixa etária de 60 anos ou mais. A proporção de pessoas que procuraram pelo serviço e obtiveram atendimento foi elevada, o mesmo ocorreu para aquelas que procuraram por médico e foram atendidas por meio de consulta. A procura pelo SUS foi menor entre as pessoas de cor branca, de renda per capita elevada, com união estável e entre as pessoas com ensino superior. A cobertura pelo SUS foi menor para as pessoas das faixas etárias de 45 a 59 anos e de 60 anos ou mais, com renda per capita elevada, com Ensino Médio ou Técnico e Ensino Superior. As pessoas que gastaram mais com a saúde da família foram aquelas com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, de cor branca, das faixas de renda per capita mais elevadas, com união estável e com Ensino Superior. Em relação à posse de plano de saúde, pessoas de cor branca, com renda per capita elevada e indivíduos com doença crônica apresentaram maiores chances de possuir este serviço. CONCLUSÕES: Foi observado, na população com indicativos de TMC, que não houve desigualdades no acesso e utilização dos serviços entre as pessoas que buscaram por ajuda diante de morbidade. Verificou-se que o SUS atende e cobre os gastos majoritariamente dos mais pobres, denotando uma cobertura desigual que favorece os mais necessitados, porém, considerando o fator idade, ficou explícita uma situação de iniquidade, pois foi constatado que o SUS oferece maior cobertura para a população mais jovem e não contempla as necessidades da população mais idosa. Além disso, verificou-se também uma demanda reprimida de pessoas que não acessaram o serviço, indicando barreiras que antecedem à busca / INTRODUCTION: The equity concept emphasizes diversity as a human condition and proposes this aspect as a guiding principle of the public policy. The objective of this investigation was to verify the equity in health care of people with signs of common mental disorders (CMD) in the city of São Paulo. We analyzed the demand and use of health services and the expenses on health in the last month of people with signs of CMD who reported morbidity 15 days before the home interview, according to socio-demographic characteristics and health conditions. METHODS: We developed a cross-sectional study and used the data from São Paulo\'s health survey (ISA - Capital) of 2008. We selected subjects with 16 years of age or older and with signs of common mental disorders; who were evaluated using the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). We analyzed the demand and the use of health services, and the health expenses in the last month, correlating them with sociodemographic and health condition aspects. RESULTS: The demand for health services was lower among women, higher in the age group from 30 to 44 years old and in the age group of 60 years old or more. The proportion of people who sought the service and were cared for was high, and the same thing happened to those who sought medical attention and had an appointment. The demand for SUS was lower among white people with high per capita income, married and among people with higher education degrees. The coverage of SUS was significantly lower for people aged between 45 and 59 years old and those aged 60 years old or more, with high per capita income, with high school, technical or college degree. The people who spent more on Family health were those with 60 years old or more, white, with high per capita income, married and with college degree. Regarding health care insurance ownership, white people with high per capita income and individuals with chronic diseases presented higher chances of owning a health care insurance. CONCLUSIONS: We observed, among people with signs of CMD, that there were no inequalities in the access and use of health services for those who sought for help faced with morbidity. We verified that SUS serves and covers the expenses mainly of the poorer, denoting an unequal coverage that favours the ones who need it the most, however, taking the age factor into account, a situation of inequity was explicit, since it was verified that SUS offers a wider coverage to the younger population and does not contemplate the needs of the elderly. In addition, there was also a repressed demand of people who could not access the health service, indicating barriers that precede the search

Introcução: Estima-se que, no mundo, mais de 350 milhões de pessoas de todas as idades tenham depressão. Em 2010, a depressão foi a segunda principal causa de anos vividos com incapacidade. Embora haja tratamentos eficazes, a proporção de casos diagnosticados e tratados é baixa em todo o mundo, menor ainda nos países de média e baixa renda. Objetivos. Estimar a prevalência de Episódio de Depressão Maior (EDM) na população de 20 anos ou mais cadastrada na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) em dois municípios do Estado do Amazonas (Coari e Tefé); avaliar a associação de EDM com características individuais e investigar a associação entre EDM e utilização de serviços de saúde. Método. Estudo de corte transversal conduzido entre agosto de 2013 e maio de 2014 com amostra representativa da população com 20 anos ou mais, cadastrada na ESF da área urbana dos municípios de Coari e Tefé. Os desfechos \"Depressão maior\" e \"Utilização de Serviços de Saúde\" foram avaliados com a escala Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) e questões sobre uso de serviços de atenção primária, urgência ou emergência e atenção médica especializada. Foram avaliadas as seguintes exposições: características demográficas e socioeconômicas, apoio social, eventos de vida estressantes, uso de tabaco e álcool, morbidades físicas e tratamento para transtornos mentais. As entrevistas foram realizadas no domicílio do participante. Regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para examinar a associação entre EDM e os fatores de exposição; os resultados foram apresentados como razão de prevalência, com os respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). Resultados. A prevalência geral de EDM foi 19,1% (IC 95% 17,2-21,1), sendo 22,2% (IC 95% 19,3-25,0) para mulheres e 16,0 (IC 95% 13,4-18,5) para homens. As prevalências de EDM em Coari e Tefé foram 18,3% (IC 95% 15,7-21,0) e 19,9% (IC 95% 17,2-22,7), respectivamente. Sexo feminino, ausência de apoio social de amigos/colegas, maior número de eventos de vida produtores de estresse e de morbidades físicas foram associados independentemente com depressão maior. Baixa escolaridade e baixa renda, uso de tabaco e uso de risco de álcool foram associados com depressão maior nas análises não ajustadas. EDM foi independentemente associado com a utilização dos três tipos de serviço de saúde investigados. Menos que 4,0% da população estudada recebiam algum tipo de tratamento relacionado à saúde mental. Conclusão. O Estado do Amazonas tem altos índices de desemprego, pobreza e baixa escolaridade, fatores de risco conhecidos para depressão. Uma parcela dos habitantes de Coari e Tefé apresentou indicadores de desvantagem social. Neste contexto, a alta prevalência de EDM encontrada no estudo, cerca de um em cada cinco adultos, não surpreende. As características individuais associadas com EDM nestes municípios são similares aos fatores de risco para depressão no Brasil e em outras partes do mundo. Apesar dos participantes com depressão utilizarem com maior frequência os serviços de saúde, apenas uma pequena proporção da população estudada recebia tratamento para transtornos mentais. Existe uma grande lacuna para o tratamento de depressão no Estado do Amazonas. Programas de tratamento que incluam identificação e tratamento de depressão no contexto da atenção primária devem ser desenvolvidos / Introduction. It is estimated that more than 350 million people of all ages have depression. In 2010, depression was the second leading cause of years lived with disability. Although there are effective treatments, the proportion of cases diagnosed and treated is low around the world, and even smaller in low and middle income countries. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the population aged 20 years or over enrolled in Brazil\'s Family Health Strategy (FHS) in two municipalities in the state of Amazonas: Coari and Tefé; to evaluate the association of MDE with the individuals\' characteristics; and to investigate the association of MDE with use of health services. Method. Cross-sectional study conducted between August 2013 and May 2014 with a representative sample of the population aged 20 or over enrolled in the FHS in the urban area of Coari and Tefé. The outcomes \"major depression\" and \"use of health services\" were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9) and questions about the use of primary care services, as well as emergency and specialized medical care. The following exposure variables were evaluated: demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, social support, stressful life events, use of tobacco and alcohol, physical morbidities and treatment for mental disorders. Interviews were carried out at the participants\' home. Poisson regression was used to examine the association between MDE and exposure factors; results are presented as prevalence ratios, with its respective 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results. The overall prevalence of MDE was 19.1% (95% CI 17.2 - 21.1) and 22.2% (95% CI 19.3 - 25.0) for women and 16.0 (95% 13.4 - 18.5) for men. The prevalence of MDE in Coari and Tefé were 18.3% (95% CI 15.7 - 21.0) and 19.9% (95% CI 17.2 - 22.7), respectively. Being a woman, lack of social support from friends/colleagues, increased number of stressful life events and physical morbidity were independently associated with major depression. Lower formal education and income, tobacco use and risk use of alcohol were associated with MDE in unadjusted analysis. MDE was independently associated with use of three types of health care investigated. Less than 4.0% of the study population received any type of treatment related to mental health. Conclusion. The state of Amazonas has high rates of unemployment, poverty and low education achievement, known risk factors for depression. A portion of the inhabitants of Coari and Tefé presented indicators of social disadvantage. In this context, the high prevalence of MDE - about one in five adults - is not surprising. Individual characteristics associated with MDE in these municipalities are similar to risk factors for depression in Brazil and worldwide. Although participants with depression used health services frequently, only a small proportion of the study population received treatment for mental disorders. There is a large treatment gap for depression in the state of Amazonas. Treatment programs that include identification and treatment of depression in the context of primary health care should be developed

O presente estudo examina as relações entre autocuidado e envelhecimento, nas narrativas de idosos favelados da cidade de São Paulo. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo no qual se investigou as formas de autocuidado adotadas pelos entrevistados, com ênfase na relação com os serviços de saúde. Defende-se que o autocuidado não pode ser compreendido como simples adoção de saberes técnicos para a promoção da saúde, mas como uma atitude prática, relacionada à experiência de envelhecer, às condições de vida e às interações familiar e comunitária. Propõe-se a necessidade de resistir à tendência de responsabilização individual do idoso pela sua saúde, freqüentemente associada às propostas de autocuidado. / This study examines, in narratives, the relationships between self-care and aging for elderly who live in a slum of Sao Paulo city. It is a qualitative research which analysis self-care strategies, undertaken by the interviewed, emphasizing the ir relationship with health care services. The analysis supports that self-care can not be understood as a plain adoption of technical skills in order to promote health but as a practical behavior related to aging experience, life conditions, family and community interactions. The study proposes that it?s necessary to avoid take elderly as the main responsible in other to promote their own health, what is often related to self-care strategies.

The voices and experiences of immigrant and refugee women in Canada have been conspicuously absent from policy issues, programme planning, and mental health literature. However, more immigrant and refugee women than men, from traditional cultures, are considered to have mental health needs, because of risk factors such as stress at the time of migration, and because of Canadian policies and programmes which disadvantage them. This study explores from the consumers perspective the reasons for disparate mental health service utilization between South Asian and Latin American women in Vancouver. Using a cross-sectional, exploratory, case study approach, and a feminist perspective, ten South Asian and ten Latin American women who have used mental health services were interviewed in depth. Sixty percent of the participants were survivors of violence and torture. Five Latin American women were survivors of pre-migration catastrophic stress. Their mental health needs were characterised by traumatic experiences, grieving and depression. Except for the three who were married, they had no traditional support networks. In contrast with the South Asian group they appeared to have less shame and covert behaviour. Mental illness, considered a ‘house secret’, carries great stigma in the South Asian community, and has serious ramifications for the immediate as well as the extended family. Among South Asian participants seven had been subjected to wife battering, and four of their spouses had a substance abuse problem. Their mental health needs were also triggered by traumatic experiences, grieving and depression. The more established South Asian women had extended family living in Vancouver, yet social support was still lacking. Having ‘no one to turn to’ was a pervasive theme across both groups of women; their experiences characterised by loss. Analysis of data exploring the decision to use services illustrates stages in a process of recovery from experienced violence. Post migration domestic violence and pre-migration violence have devastating, life-shattering consequences which require culturally sensitive interventions by social workers and other health care professionals. An obligatory stage in the clinical intervention process is to explore the issue of violence. Finally, policy decisions which impact upon women from ethnocultural communities in Canada must embrace a philosophy which considers well-trained, culturally-sensitive, linguistically—competent workers a priority.

A forma atual da organização local dos serviços de saúde motiva o desenvolvimento de estudos que explicitem a busca de cuidados terapêuticos, permitindo, assim, pensar a organização e funcionamento da rede de serviços de saúde com mais dinamismo, à qual as pessoas possam optar, ou outras formas de cuidado, que melhor resolvam seus problemas de saúde. A temática do presente estudo visa a estabelecer relações entre a rede de serviços de saúde disponíveis e as práticas e trajetórias terapêuticas de pacientes portadores de câncer,em um Município da região Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O presente estudo tem por objetivo conhecer e caracterizar essa rede, bem como a utilização de serviços e as trajetórias e práticas terapêuticas dos usuários portadores de câncer, no Município referido. É um estudo exploratório, descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, com uso de entrevistas a 13 sujeitos cadastrados na Liga Feminina de Combate ao Câncer do Município. As entrevistas identificaram problemas em relação ao modelo de atenção e de gestão da saúde, revelados pelas dificuldades que os sujeitos apresentam em suas trajetórias terapêuticas, com vários caminhos traçados para encontrar o tratamento adequado. Desta forma, também foram muitas as práticas terapêuticas procuradas pelos sujeitos, devido às dificuldades de atendimento na rede de assistência à saúde do Município. Os resultados apontaram para a necessidade de problematizar junto aos gestores, trabalhadores de saúde, prestadores de serviço e instâncias de controle social do Sistema Único de Saúde, a oferta de serviços de saúde tanto no âmbito municipal, quanto regional. Para a efetivação de um atendimento integral, é importante que os serviços de saúde se organizem para atender às necessidades definidas pelos sujeitos, no sentido de minimizar as assimetrias no atendimento à atenção oncológica, como também a outras especialidades. / The current configuration of the health services organization, is reason for the development of studies that specify the search for therapeutic care, thus allowing thinking over the organization and operation of the health services network in a more dynamic way so that people may choose health services or other care alternatives that best solve their health problems. The theme of this study aims at establishing a relationship between the available network of health services and the therapy practices and trajectories of patients with cancer in the municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul. This study has therefore the objective of learning and characterizing the available network of health services, the utilization of services and the therapy trajectories and practices of users with cancer in the studied municipality. It is an exploratory, descriptive study of qualitative approach with the application of interviews with 13 subjects enrolled in the Feminine League for Coping Cancer in the municipality. The interviews demonstrate problems regarding the model of health care and management, revealed by the difficulties that the subjects present over their therapy trajectories with several ways to be traced in order to find the proper treatment. The subjects also searched for several therapy practices due to the care difficulties in the local health care network. The results point out to the need of raising the problem of the offer of health services both in the municipal and in the regional range with the management staff, health workers, services professionals and sectors of social control of the SUS. In order to perform an integral care, it is important that the health services get organized in order to meet the health needs as defined by the subjects in the sense of minimizing the asymmetries in the attendance of oncological care as well as of other specialties. / La forma actual de la organización de los servicios de salud, motiva el desarrollo de estudios que expliciten la búsqueda de cuidados terapéuticos, permitiendo así pensar la organización y el funcionamiento de la red de servicios de salud con más dinamismo, en la cual las personas puedan optar por servicios de salud o otras formas de cuidado, que mejor resuelvan sus problemas de salud. La temática del presente estudio visa, establecer una relación entre la red de servicios de salud disponibles y las prácticas y trayectorias terapéuticas de pacientes portadores de cáncer en la municipalidad, provincia de Rio Grande do Sul. El presente estudio tiene, el objetivo de conocer y caracterizar la red de servicios de salud disponible, la utilización de servicios y las trayectorias y prácticas terapéuticas de usuarios portadores de cáncer en aquella municipalidad. Es un estudio exploratorio, descriptivo de abordaje cualitativo, con aplicación de entrevistas a 13 sujetos registrados en la Liga Femenina de Combate al Cáncer de la Municipalidad. Las entrevistas demuestran problemas con relación al modelo de atención y de gestión de la salud, revelados por las dificultades que los sujetos presentan en sus trayectorias terapéuticas con varios caminos trazados para encontrar el tratamiento adecuado. De esta forma, también fueron varias las prácticas terapéuticas buscadas por los sujetos debido a las dificultades de atención en la red de asistencia a la salud de la municipalidad. Los resultados apuntan para la necesidad de tratar el problema junto a los gestores, trabajadores de salud, prestadores de servicio e instancias de control social del SUS, la oferta de servicios de salud tanto en el ámbito municipal como en el regional. Para los efectos de una atención integral, es importante que los servicios de salud se organicen para atender las necesidades en salud definidas por los sujetos en el sentido de minimizar las asimetrías en la atención oncológica, como también en otras especialidades.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing skilled delivery service utilisation in order to develop strategies to improve utilisation of skilled birth attendance service in North West Ethiopia. The objectives were to explore and describe the perceptions and experiences of the community regarding skilled utilisation of the birth attendance service; explore reasons for non-utilisation of skilled birth attendance service; asses the health system experience of provision of skilled birth attendance service; and formulate strategies to improve utilisation of skilled birth attendance service. The study employed a qualitative, descriptive, and explorative research design to address the research questions formulated by the researcher. The study used focus group discussion guide to obtain information from pregnant women and women who gave birth recently. Furthermore, the study used an interview guide to gather information from health extension workers, midwives, health centre heads, district health office technical experts and heads. It also employed and inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the qualitative data. The study further used the Atlas ti version 7 for the data analysis. The steps followed for the analysis were data immersion, coding, displaying, reduction, and interpretation. Overall, nine themes emerged from the analysis of the data. Consequently, the researcher used the findings of the study to develop strategies to improve the utilisation of skilled birth attendance service. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)