Socioeconomic and Educational Profile of Users, and Profile of the Access to Services Offered by Odontology Specialty Centers in João Pessoa-Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

This is an epidemiological and quantitative study, using an inductive approach and a direct intensive observation of the users of the Specialty Centers of João Pessoa-PB, aiming at identifying the profile of the users and the use of the services offered in such centers. 590 users of the Odontology Specialty Centers (OSCs) from Torre and Jaguaribe were evaluated, from August 2012 to August 2013, all chosen at random according to daily availability, and interviewed in the centers. The data were analyzed through the Chi-square test (?=0,05) in the software SPSS (20.0). It was noted that 64.2% of the users were female, had completed high school (29.2%), and the minority were unemployed — they were either freelance or registered workers (53.9%). Among the specialties offered at the OSC, Endodontics was the one with the most attendances (43.89%), while, on the other hand, health prevention and promotion practices were not present. Most users are referred to the OSCs from a Primary Health Unit.