PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION DUE TO AMBULATORY CARE-SENSITIVE CONDITIONSIN VALENCIA (SPAIN)

Background: Studies in the United States have demonstrated that rates of hospitalization for conditions sensitive to primary care are relate d to socioeconomic factors, Our objective was to identify those sociod emographic and primary care factors associated with pediatric hospital ization for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, in a country (Spain) with a health system that provides universal coverage. Methods: Cross -sectional survey of 504 children hospitalized in a District General H ospital in Valencia, Spain, Data were gathered on sociodemographic var iables, type of physician providing primary care and ambulatory care u se prior to hospitalization. Analysis consisted of bivariate statistic al tests and logistic regression techniques, Results: Children who wer e under 2 years old and female were at significantly higher risk for h ospitalization due to ambulatory care-sensitive conditions. Socioecono mic variables, type of physician or a previous visit to primary care s ervices were not associated with a different risk of hospitalization d ue to these conditions, Conclusion: Characteristics unrelated to diffi culties in access, or to type of provider, influence the risk of hospi tal admissions for conditions that could be prevented or managed witho ut hospitalization. More specific classification of conditions potenti ally could be useful for determining which factors of structure or pro cess of health services are related to hospitalization.