Spatial analysis of the quality of Primary Health Care in Brazil

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the spatial distribution of the Primary Health Care (ABS) teams evaluated by the National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Health Care (PMAQ-AB) according to the categories of performance for certification in the Program. A spatial distribution profile of the municipalities according to the PMAQ-AB evaluation was carried out, as well as the identification of spatial patterns from a spatial correlation indicator to evaluate the degree of space influence for the certification of ABS teams. It was found presence of spatial patterns in relation to ABS quality. Municipalities with low values in the indicator, whose neighbors are also low, are found in most of the states of Acre, Amazonas, Roraima and Amapá, as well as in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. High-high standard clusters were observed in the municipalities of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, especially in Santa Catarina. The identification of the spatial quality standards of ABS can be a valuable resource for the further PMAQ-AB development. It will be possible, thus, to develop analyses that incorporate variables with explanatory potential for the spatial patterns of ABS quality found in Brazilian municipalities.