Caracterização da Estratégia Saúde da Família no Estado do Amazonas, Brasil: análise da implantação e impacto Characterization of the family health strategy in Amazonas State, Brazil: an analysis of implementation and impact

Abstract This article focuses on the implementation of the Family Health Program (FHP) in municipalities (counties) in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, ana-lyzing potential population coverage, evidence of change in the health care model, and impact (2004 and 2008). Implementation was classified as fair versus unsatisfactory. The findings showed an increase in the number of municipalities with the FHP implemented, as well as in the program’s coverage (which nevertheless was less than 50% of the population). Concerning change in the health care model, no municipalities were observed with a high rate of change. As for impact, there was a decrease in low impact and an increase in high impact. The final classification did not show a statistically significant change from one year to the next, and unsatisfactory implementation pre-vailed in the municipalities of the State of Ama-zonas. Evaluation of the FHP is not simple, since there are various factors involved in the issue. Further studies could reveal the factors that ex-plain the program’s suboptimal implementation in the State of Amazonas.Family Health Program; Program Evaluation; Health Evaluation; Health Services Coverage