Study of health services regions in the epidemy of AIDS using gravity model: Brasil, 1996 to 2006

• Grant number: 06/03081-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2006
• End date: December 31, 2007
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Luiz Rodrigues-Júnior
• Grantee: Antonio Luiz Rodrigues-Júnior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian Public Health Service supported several important programs against epidemy of aids in Brazil by cost-free medicine distribution program for people living with aids. The health-service regionalization was concerned by NOAS-SUS document in 2002, which recovered the central-location network concept from human geography basis on the delivery and the use of aids detection service. Gravitacional models have been used to evaluate client attraction by market places according geomarketing purposes, which may be used to study health-service uses. OBJECTIVE. This study aims to study the geographical coverage of aids detection service from central-location network in Brazil. METHODS. It will take reported cases to Brazilian Program of STD and AIDS from 1996 to 2006, which will be stratified by residence municipality and municipality where aids detection had been made. A digital map of Brazilian municipalities will be used, according to IBGE definitions, to perform spatial analysis and to present results. Huff's gravity model will be set to evaluate attraction forces behind the use of aids detection service in the central-location network. The geostatistical method called kriging – weighted generalized estimation - may be used for the thematic map buildings allowing isolines presentation of attraction forces. This study intends to contribute for the planning and the organization of aids detection service for a better strategy against epidemy of aids. (AU)