Factors associated with the use of health services in a quilombola community

Abstract

Quilombola communities present sociocultural specificities and challenges in the health field, often associated with vulnerabilities and inequalities in access to services. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the quilombola community of Santa Rita do Botafogo, Tabuleiro (MG), with the aim of characterizing the sociodemographic and health profile and analyzing its association with the use of health services. A total of 108 residents aged 18 years or older participated. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with 29 questions addressing sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported health conditions, and access to and use of health services. The analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests (α=5%). It was observed that 92.6% of participants self-identified as Black or mixed-race, 51.9% were women, and 70.4% had incomplete primary education. The health unit was indicated as the main point of care by 75.0% of respondents. The most frequently reported health conditions were hypertension (30.6%) and anxiety (28.7%). Seeking medical care in the past year was higher among women (89.3%; p=0.03) and individuals with higher levels of education (p=0.01). It is concluded that, despite strong linkage with primary care, inequalities in the use of services persist, associated with gender, education, and structural determinants.