Morbidade hospitalar e fatores associados segundo a raça/cor da pele na Bahia, 2008-2012

Abstract

This dissertation constitutes the final project of the Master’s program in Collective Health, in the concentration area Epidemiology, line of research: health of specific population groups, and is based on the article “Hospital Morbidity and factors associated according to race/color of the skin in Bahia, Brazil, 2008-2012. The objective of this article is to analyze the association between hospital morbidity and socioeconomic factors and demographics, according to race/color of the skin in Bahia, Brazil, from 2008-2012. This is an ecologic, exploratory study consisting of various cross-sectional studies performed at different moments in time. The study used secondary data from the System of Hospital Information of SUS-SIH/SUS of the department of information of SUS-DATASUS, including all of the municipalities of the state of Bahia for which existed registries of hospitalizations of SIH-SUS. Socioeconomic data was provided by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). This study enables a broader comprehension of disparities mediating the process of health-illness and identifies areas where populations in situations of social vulnerability are concentrated. Little research exists on hospital morbidity, and research on this topic that considers race/color of the skin is inexistent. Color of the skin, race, and ethnicity are constructs still rarely recognized in practice or in the scientific literature on health in Brazil. This article aims to contribute to the production of scientific knowledge on health inequalities so that morbidities that disproportionally affect the black population can be identified and monitored. Equally, this article aims to assist in planning and implementation of public policies to improve the health of the black population in the state of Bahia, Brazil.