SATISFACTION OF HYPERTENSIVE USERS AND PROFESSIONALS BASED ON PRIMARY CARE ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic Arterial Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the leading cause of death in Brazil. User satisfaction based on health care experience can be used to assess the actions focused on the control of hypertension. However, such assessment should embrace the perception of three actors: user, health professional and manager. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the performance of the assistance provided to hypertensive users through primary care dimensions, as well as to compare the indicators of users and professionals of the Family Health Strategy. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, population-based study performed with users and professionals of the Family Health Strategy in the city ofJoão Pessoa and Campina Grande,Paraíba state, Brazil. An adaptation of the Primary Care Assessment Tool was applied to assess actors’ satisfaction with respect to hypertension. Analyses were performed using the Mann Whitney test, considering statistical significance for p ≤ 0.05. Results: Users’ satisfaction levels were found to be regular or low, while professional satisfaction levels were found to be high. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the care being provided is not fulfilling users’ needs, or that these needs are not being properly understood by professionals. This study is expected to provide scientific evidence supporting the use of this methodology in the assessment of the care provided to hypertensive users. DESCRIPTORS: Health Evaluation. Primary Health Care. Hypertension.