FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INADEQUATE AGE OF REFERRALS FOR PEDIATRIC SURGERY IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the demand for pediatric surgery and the factors associated with inadequate surgical age. This cross-sectional study was carried out using questionnaires in a northern Minas Gerais, Brazil hub city. The association between inadequate surgical age and demographic, social, and care factors was verified using bivariate analysis followed by Poisson regression with robust variance and a significance level of 5%. A total of 532 children participated 79.3% were male. The median interval between the first referral from primary health care until surgery was 9.2 months. The frequency of inadequate surgical age was 44.4%. Variables associated with inadequate age were: male (PR = 1.09; CI95% = 1.01-1.18), low maternal education (PR = 1.13; CI95% = 1.06-1.20), and age perception of affection higher one year (PR = 1.09; IC95% = 1.02-1.15). There is a high occurrence of inadequate age for surgical procedures, and among the factors that justify these findings are the social conditions of the families. Strategies must be developed to reduce the waiting time between the specialist’s evaluation and definitive treatment.