Análise de acesso ao Serviço de castração de cães e gatos em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Abstract

When considering the aspects that permeate the One Health, it is important that animals have access to veterinary services as a measure to promote the health of the entire triad (man, environment and animal). However, such services are inaccessible to many communities, which imposes the need for subsidized veterinary services. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the access to the Canine and Feline Surgical Sterilisation Service in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, to propose actions for the expansion of the access and indicators for the evaluation of the access. Individual access was evaluated by adjusting a logistic model of the estimated probability of service dropout, using the service scheduling database, in the period between 2012 and 2018. Regional access was evaluated by obtaining a spatial access index, from the 3SFCA method, with data on the offer of castration and the estimated animal population by Coverage Area, in the years 2012, 2015 and 2018. Owners of male animals presented greater odds of dropping out in relation to female dogs, perhaps due to a greater interest in using this service to avoid unwanted offspring or a cultural perception, indicating the need for more information on the perception of importance of castration by users of this service. Waiting time was a major factor in reducing access (OR 1.2 per month of waiting), as well as the IVS of the Coverage Area. Areas of greater vulnerability presented a greater chance of dropping out, however, in the interaction between IVS and time, it was identified that areas of greater vulnerability presented greater "resistance" to the effect of waiting time, which suggests a lower capacity of tutors in these areas to access the private veterinary service as an alternative. The spatial access index showed that most areas had a supply capacity of more than 5%, however, in 2018 a general reduction in the index was observed, due to a population growth disproportionate to the supply between 2015 and 2018. The result indicates the need for actions that also reduce the immigration and renewal of the animal population, which result in greater pressure on the supply of the service. There was a gradual reduction in inequality in spatial access between areas with different levels of vulnerability, however, areas of very high vulnerability presented significantly lower access than the others. Based on the results obtained, it is suggested to adopt policies to prioritize areas of greater vulnerability, in terms of differentiated supply and waiting time, to expand access, in addition to identifying the capacity to offer private veterinary services and detailed information on the population dynamics of dogs and cats in the municipality for a more accurate application of the 3SFCA method in planning the offer of castrations by the subsidized veterinary service of the Municipality of Belo Horizonte.