Primary health care performance according to clusters of convergent municipalities in the state of São Paulo

Objective: To describe the performance of Primary Health Care, according to conglomerates of São Paulo cities that present homogeneous indicators. Methods: This is a descriptive study, based on secondary data extracted from official sources of the Unified Health System, for the year 2018. An analysis matrix was created, with the proposition of performance (access, effectiveness and adequacy) and context indicators (population, health determinants and financing) selected and organized in dimensions and sub-dimensions. Cluster Analysis was used to identify the groups of homogeneous municipalities. Results: 645 municipalities were divided in 6 conglomerates. Clusters 2 and 3 were formed predominantly by small municipalities with greater access to health; cluster 3 has less social vulnerability and greater investment in health. Clusters 1, 4 and 5 were formed by the largest municipalities with less access to health; cluster 4 presents greater social vulnerability, less coverage of private health plans and a greater percentage of health resources; cluster 5 was characterized by greater Gross Domestic Product per capita and greater coverage of private health plans. Cluster 6, formed by the city of São Paulo, was a particular case. Cluster 2 drew attention, as it was shown to have increased coverage, but signaled lower efficacy and adequacy levels. Cluster 3 had the best performance among all clusters. Conclusion: These findings can support regional and municipal management, given the complexity of the territory of São Paulo, pointing to scenarios that demand broader public management initiatives. RESUMO: Objetivo: Descrever o desempenho da atenção primária à saúde, segundo clusters de municípios paulistas que apresentaram indicadores homogêneos. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com base em dados secundários extraídos de fontes oficiais do Sistema Único de Saúde, referentes ao ano de 2018. Foi elaborada uma matriz de análise, com a proposição de indicadores de desempenho (acesso, efetividade e adequação) e contexto (população, determinantes de saúde e financiamento), selecionados e organizados em dimensões e subdimensões. Para identificar os grupos de municípios homogêneos, foi utilizada a análise de cluster Resultados: Dos 645 municípios, constituíram-se seis clusters. Os clusters 2 e 3 foram formados, predominantemente, por municípios pequenos e com maior acesso; entre eles, o cluster 3 apresentou menor vulnerabilidade social e maior investimento em s