Socio-demographic profile and utilization patterns of the public healthcare system (SUS), 2003-2008

PNAD data was employed to analyze the utilization profile of health services, and this was measured by the proportion of individuals seeking and reporting use of health services in the prior two weeks and those who reported hospitalization in the preceding 12 months. Private health plans covered 25.9% of the Brazilian population. Comparing data from 2003 and 2008 surveys, there was no change in the proportion of individuals seeking health services, as well as the proportion of those attended by these services (96%). The Unified Health System (SUS) was responsible for 56,7% of all healthcare, providing the bulk of medical visits, vaccine activities and hospital admissions, but accounted for only 1/3 of dental care. There was a reduction in SUS health services utilization with the increase of education and income level, in the two surveys. There was also a decrease in utilization of services due to prevention and an increase in dental problems, accidents, injuries and rehabilitation. The pattern of SUS services utilization per region was inversely related to the proportion of individuals with private health insurance coverage.