People experiencing homelessness: factors for the use of health services

Objective: To analyze the association between sociodemographic and economic factors, living conditions and use of health services by people experiencing homelessness in Belo Horizonte. Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical and quantitative study of 390 people experiencing homelessness carried out in the central region of Belo Horizonte, MG. Data were collected with the application of a questionnaire between September and December 2021. The Pearson's chi-square test and a prevalence ratio with a 95% confidence interval were used in data analysis. Poisson regression was used to verify associations related to the use of health services. The Andersen's behavioral model was used as a theoretical framework. Results: The population was predominantly male and brown. Participants reported having sought a health service and 57.5% said they had sought Primary Health Care services. Significant associations were identified between participation in social movements (PR=1.26; 95%CI:1.01-1.57), own choice as a reason for going to the streets (PR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.05-1.66), good assessment of health status (PR=0.68; 95% CI: 0.54-0.87), use of crack (PR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.60-0.98) and medication (PR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.03-1.49), with the use of health services. Conclusion: The use of crack and medication, positive self-assessment of health, own choice as a reason for going to the streets and participation in social movements represent predisposing and need factors in Andersen's behavioral model, which were associated with the use of services by people experiencing homelessness.