ABSTRACT
Resumo Este estudo analisou a tendência dos gastos e das Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária (ICSAP) em crianças residentes na Bahia. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico de série temporal, na Bahia, de 2000 a 2012. Foram calculadas as taxas anuais de ICSAP em menores de cinco anos, dos gastos totais e dos gastos médios. Para a análise da tendência temporal foram construídos modelos de regressão linear. Foram notificadas 810.831 ICSAP em menores de cinco anos na Bahia de 2000 a 2012. A taxa de ICSAP decresceu 24,7% no período, passando de 44,6 para 33,6 hospitalizações/1.000 crianças. O gasto total foi estimado em 155,8 milhões de reais, sendo observada redução de 50,4%, comparando-se o primeiro com o último ano da série. A análise de regressão linear evidenciou tendência de redução das ICSAP (β = -1,20; p = 0,014), dos gastos médios (β = -3,45; p < 0,01) e gastos totais (β = -0,46; p < 0,01). Apesar do comportamento de queda, ainda há elevadas taxas de ICSAP, que repercutem em um grande volume de recursos gastos com tais hospitalizações. Nesse sentido, diminuir as ICSAP em menores de cinco anos é importante tanto para melhorar a saúde da população quanto para reduzir gastos hospitalares.
Abstract This study analyses expenditure trends in Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) in children. It is an ecological time-series study, including hospitalizations of children under five in Bahia, between 2000 and 2012. We calculate the annual ACSC rates, as well as the total and average expenditure on these hospitalizations. We construct linear regression analysis models for the temporal trends. Between 2000 and 2012, 810,831 ACSC hospitalizations for the under-fives were recorded in Bahia. Hospitalization rates dropped 24.7% over this period, falling from 44.6 to 33.6 per 1,000 children. The total expenditure on such admissions is estimated to be 155.8 million Brazilian Reals. When we compare the first with the last year of the series, we note a reduction of 50.4% in total expenditure. The linear regression analysis demonstrates a reduction trend in average ACSC expenditure (β = -1.20, p = 0.014), (β = -3.45, p <0.01) and total expenditure (β = -0,46, p <0.01). Despite the reductions in these indicators, ACSC rates remain high, which has a significant impact on the volume of resources spent on avoidable hospitalizations. To this end, it is important to reduce ACSC expenditure, to both improve population health and reduce hospital costs.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Child, Preschool , Health Expenditures/trends , Hospital Costs/statistics & numerical data , Ambulatory Care/statistics & numerical data , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Brazil , Linear Models , Ambulatory Care/economics , Hospitalization/economicsABSTRACT
The effect of Aloe vera on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis was evaluated in a randomized, parallel and double-blind clinical trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to the test group (n=15) - dentifrice containing Aloe vera - or the control group (n=15) - fluoridated dentifrice. Plaque index (PI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were assessed at days 0 and 30. Subjects were asked to brush their teeth with the control or test dentifrice, three times a day, during a 30-day period. There was a significant reduction on plaque and gingivitis in both groups, but no statistically significant difference was observed among them (p>0.01). The dentifrice containing Aloe vera did not show any additional effect on plaque and gingivitis control compared to the fluoridated dentifrice.