The use of information for the territorialization process in Primary Care planning: an experience from chronic kidney diseases in the city of São Bernardo do Campo

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has gained importance and concern for its cost, the number of deaths and the negative impact on the quality of life of people affected by the disease. This work presents reflections based on two experiences developed at the municipal level on the viability of the territorialization process in Primary Care as coping with the population ‘s health problems, especially the care of chronic non-communicable diseases. The use of georeferenced information in the work routine of public policy makers, policy managers and SUS workers is hampered by the effort required to standardize information on databases and to train workers to use information in spreadsheets. However, the use of georeferencing allows the overlapping of diverse layers of information, which makes it possible to identify intra-municipal regions of over-risk for diseases such as chronic kidney disease and to understand in a more general way the population living conditions. Providing a more accurate diagnosis of the disease distribution in the municipal territory can support discussions with the team and elaborate more focused actions.