GEOREFERENCING AS A MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR SITUATIONAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE TERRITORY IN THE CARE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives

Georeferencing, by mapping geographic coordinates, helps evaluate the decentralization of health services, contributing to increased user access.

To map the network for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of viral hepatitis cases in the municipalities of Santa Catarina.

Materials and Methods

This is an evaluative, quantitative study with a descriptive approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire applied throughout Brazil. Santa Catarina was selected for this analysis due to the higher response rate from its municipalities. For service analysis, georeferencing techniques using geographic coordinates of institutions collected via Google Earth were employed, followed by the creation of thematic maps using QGIS software.

Results

The study covered 88.8% of municipalities. Regarding georeferencing of services, 99.2% of municipalities offer rapid tests for viral hepatitis. However, 19.5% do not collect biological material for molecular testing. Furthermore, 86.3% of municipalities do not perform molecular testing within their territory. Additionally, 46.2% of municipalities refer patients to specialized services in other municipalities for treatment. Moreover, 41.6% of the patients who require clinical follow-up also needed to travel for care.

Conclusions

Significant progress was observed in expanding access to viral hepatitis diagnosis, with nearly all municipalities offering rapid tests. However, challenges remain in decentralizing biological material collection and molecular test analysis, as well as in access to treatment and clinical follow-up. The need for patient travel compromises care comprehensiveness and hinders treatment adherence.