HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR PRIMARY CARE-SENSITIVE CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN FROM THE 9TH HEALTH REGION OF ALAGOAS

Abstract

 This article sought to describe the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations for primary care-sensitive conditions (PCSC) among children aged 0 to 9 years residing in the 9th Health Region of the state of Alagoas, Brazil, from 2015 to 2024. This is a descriptive, quantitative, time-series epidemiological study using secondary data from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH-SUS/DATASUS). Absolute and relative frequencies and hospitalization rates per 1,000 inhabitants were calculated, stratified by age group and municipality of residence. During the study period, 13,393 hospital admissions were recorded, of which 23.8% (n = 3,191) corresponded to PCSC. Admissions predominated among children under 1 year of age (42.9%), males (53.3%), of mixed-race/brown skin color (82.9%), and of urgent nature (99.2%). The leading causes were bacterial pneumonia (22.0%), infectious gastroenteritis (16.4%), and pulmonary diseases (16.0%). Hospitalization rates ranged from 3.9 to 14.5 per 1,000 inhabitants, peaking in 2023, and revealed spatial heterogeneity across municipalities. It is concluded that PCSC reflect weaknesses in access to and continuity of primary care, highlighting the need to strengthen the Family Health Strategy and intersectoral actions aimed at reducing regional inequalities in child health.