Equitable access to health services for children aged 5 to 9 in a medium city of northeasth of Brazil: a result of Family Health Strategy.

INTRODUCTION The Brazilian National Health System may reduce inequalities in access to health services through strategies that can reach those most in need with no access to care services. OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with the use of health service by children aged 5 to 9 years in the city of Sobral, Ceará, northeastern Brazil. RESULTS Only 558 (17.0%) children used health care services in the 30 days preceding this survey. Children with any health condition (OR = 3.90) who were frequent attenders of primary care strategy of organization (the Family Health Strategy, FHS) (OR = 1.81) and living in the city's urban area (OR = 1.51) were more likely to use health services. Almost 80% of children used FHS as their referral care service. Children from poorer families and with easier access to services were more likely to be FHS users. CONCLUSION The study showed that access to health services has been relatively equitable through the FHS, a point of entry to the local health system.