Relationships between quality of care characteristics directed to hypertensive and diabetic patients of the Family Health Strategy and the control of prognostic factors for complications

Abstract Background Although the Family Health Strategy (FHS) is designed to meet the requirements of care for patients with chronic diseases, it appears that in practice, the control of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus remains unsatisfactory. Objective The objective was to assess if quality of care influenced the control of prognostic factors of complications in subjects with hypertension or diabetes enrolled in the FHS in Pernambuco. Method This is a cross-sectional study on a random sample of 1607 hypertensive and diabetic subjects enrolled with the FHS in 35 municipalities in the state of Pernambuco. Quality of care was evaluated by “accessibility”, “services available”, “services provided” and “satisfaction”. The relationships with control of prognostic factors were sought using the chi-square test. Results The practice of physical activity was the outcome that was most closely linked to quality of care; on the other hand, quality of care was not found associated with smoking cessation. The relationship between quality of care and control of weight, blood pressure or diabetes were nonexistent or paradoxical. Conclusion Good quality of care may have a positive impact on the practice of physical activity by hypertensive or diabetic subjects.