Hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions in children, Rondônia, Brazil, 2008-2019

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Childhood hospitalizations in Rondônia, Brazil, require updated epidemiological profiles.
• Understanding hospitalization trends is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the hospitalization profile of children in public hospitals across 52 municipalities in Rondônia, Brazil.
• To analyze trends in pediatric hospitalizations by age group and health region.

Main Methods:

• Ecological time series study utilizing secondary data from the Hospital Information System.
• Prais-Winsten linear regression analysis performed using Stata statistical software.
• Trends analyzed by age group, disease category, and geographical health region.

Main Results:

• Decreasing trends observed in hospitalizations for gastrointestinal and vaccine-preventable diseases (ages 1-9 years).
• Increasing trends noted for skin/subcutaneous tissue diseases (all ages), epilepsies (ages 1-9), and childbirth/puerperium-related conditions.
• Varied hospitalization profiles across health regions, with stable trends in some and declining trends in others (Central, Zona da Mata).

Conclusions:

• Significant shifts in pediatric hospitalization patterns in Rondônia necessitate targeted public health strategies.
• Rising hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions highlight potential inefficiencies in primary healthcare delivery.
• The varied regional trends underscore the need for geographically tailored healthcare investments and interventions.