A PUERICULTURA NO PRIMEIRO ANO DE VIDA ­ UMA AVALIAÇÃO NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA EM SAÚDE / CHILDCARE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE-AN EVALUATION IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Objetivo: avaliar a frequência de consultas no primeiro ano da criança e relacionar com as características maternas, de pré-natal e perinatais. Métodos: Coorte de crianças nascidas entre maio e outubro de 2015 que realizaram no mínimo uma consulta na Unidade Básica de Saúde até seus 13 meses incompletos. As informações maternas, de pré-natal e perinatais foram obtidas do SINASC e o número total e o tipo de consulta pelo prontuário da UBS. Foram realizadas análise descritiva das variáveis e testes de associação das características maternas, informações de pré-natal e perinatais com o número de consultas no primeiro ano. Resultados: das 237 crianças nascidas no período, 35 (14,7%) consultaram até os 13 meses incompletos (m=7,6 atendimentos). Destas, 22 (62,9%) realizaram no mínimo 7 atendimentos de puericultura. A menor escolaridade materna esteve associada a um maior número de consultas no primeiro ano de vida (p=0,050) e houve correlação do número de consultas de pré-natal com as de puericultura (p=0,044). Conclusão: o maior número de atendimentos durante o primeiro ano de vida da criança está associado à menor escolaridade materna ao mesmo tempo em que, o vínculo estabelecido durante o pré-natal, ocasionou um maior número de consultas de puericultura.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of consultations in the first year of the child and to relate to the maternal, prenatal and perinatal characteristics.Methods: Cohort of children born between May and October 2015 who performed at least one visit to the Basic Health Unit until their 13 months. Maternal, prenatal and perinatal information were obtained from the SINASC and the total number and type of consultation by the UBS medical record. Descriptive analysis of the variables and tests of association of maternal characteristics, prenatal and perinatal information with the number of visits in the first year were performed.Results: Of the 237 children born, 35 (14.7%) consulted until the incomplete 13 months (m = 7.6 visits). Of these, 22 (62.9%) performed at least 7 childcare services. Maternal schooling was associated with a higher number of visits in the first year (p=0.050) and there was a correlation between the number of prenatal consultations and those of childcare (p = 0.044). Conclusions: The higher number of visits during the first year of life of the child is associated with lower maternal schooling, while the link established during the prenatal period has resulted in a greater number of childcare consultations.

Assessment of primary health centres of a district in North Karnataka according to Indian Public Health Standards 2012 guidelines: a cross sectional study

Background: Primary health centre (PHC) is a basic health unit to provide an integrated curative and preventive health care to the rural population as close to the people as possible, with emphasis on preventive and promotive aspects of health care.Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in Belagavi district of Karnataka in India. Twenty PHCs, two PHCs from each of the 10 talukas of Belagavi district were selected by simple random sampling. The study period was from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014. Data was collected using a predesigned and structured questionnaire for IPHS facility survey.Results: In this study, only 60% of primary health centres covered the population as per the IPHS norms. All the PHCs were providing the regular outpatient department (OPD) services, referral services, antenatal care, family planning and in-patient services. Bed occupancy rate was less than 40% in 55% of PHCs. Building area in 75% of PHCs were inadequate according to IPHS norms. Residential facility for staff was available only in half of the studied PHCs.Conclusions: IPHS guidelines were not fully being followed at PHC level in the district. Though the requirement of medical officers and pharmacists was fulfilled in almost all the PHCs, deficiency was seen in the appointing of Ayush doctors and staff nurses at PHCs. There is an urgent need of recruiting the deficient staff for efficient functioning of the PHCs.

Assessment of Cold Chain System for Routine Immunization of Primary Health centres of the Bhojpur district of Bihar

Background: Immunization is an important among activity in the Public Health Services. The vaccines are highly temperature sensitive and vaccine potency once lost cannot be restored. A well-managed cold chain will increase the efficiency of immunization and reduce vaccine wastage. An assessment of cold chain system for vaccine storage was done in the all PHCs of the study area. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the cold chain practices, with particular reference to assessing the availability of cold chain equipment, vaccine storage practices, monitoring of cold chain in primary health centres (PHCs) of Bhojpur district. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at all the cold chain points of 14 PHCs of Bhojpur district during January to May 2015. A predesigned, pretested checklist was used by the trained investigators during their visits. The information was evaluated on the basis of important components related to the cold chain points. Results: All the PHCs had a dedicated cold chain room with sufficient number of cold chain equipment. Consolidated effective vaccine management score for cold chain points of 8 (57.1%) PHCs were average (60-79%). None of the PHCs have satisfactory score (≥ 80%). Vaccine storage practice and availability of complete RI micro-plan were found satisfactory at 12 (85.7%) PHCs. Maintenance of cold chain equipment were satisfactory at 10 (71%) PHCs. But, temperature monitoring. (5) (35.7%) and waste disposal related to routine immunization 3 (21.4%) PHCs were disappointing. Conclusion: The primary health centres had average performance related to the cold chain system, which is a matter of concern warranting for the cold chain monitoring. We recommend supportive supervision as the key measures in improvement of cold chain system.

Rede de atenção e condições sanitárias das unidades de saúde da família: há alguma relação? / The care network and sanitary conditions of family health units: is there any relationship? / Red de atención y condiciones sanitarias de las unidades de salud de la familia: ¿hay alguna relación?

Objetivo: discutir as concepções e modos/estratégias de operacionalização da rede de atenção à saúde, bem como as condições sanitárias de USF. Método: estudo qualitativo realizado em 2014, com 30 entrevistas a gestores, trabalhadores e usuários de oito unidades de saúde da família (USF) de um município do nordeste brasileiro. Foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob número CAAE: 24516113.1.0000.5030. Resultados: os dados apontaram a fragilidade na articulação entre os pontos de atenção, caracterizando a fragmentação do sistema de saúde. As condições sanitárias das unidades revelam: faltam instrumentos, equipamentos, profissionais e estrutura ideal para atender as necessidades de saúde da população, o que compromete a resolutividade nestes serviços, bem como altera os fluxos e sobrecarrega a atenção secundária e terciária. Conclusão: considerando que a atenção primária à saúde representa a base, a resolutividade e o centro de comunicação da rede, as condições sanitárias adequadas das USF devem ser garantidas pelos gestores.

Objective: to discuss the conceptions and operationalization strategies of the health care network, as well as the health conditions of family health units. Method: qualitative study conducted in 2014, with 30 interviews with managers, workers and users of eight family health units (USF) in a municipality in the Brazilian Northeast. It was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 24516113.1.0000.5030). Results: data pointed out fragility in the articulation between the different attention sectors, characterizing the fragmentation of the health system. The health conditions of the units reveal: lack of instruments, equipment, professionals and that there is not ideal structure to meet the health needs of the population. As consequence there is prejudice for the outcomes of these services, as well as changes in flows and overloads secondary and tertiary care. Conclusion: since the primary health care represents the basis, the resolutivity and the communication centre of the network, managers must guarantee the appropriate sanitary conditions of the FHU.

Objetivo: discutir las concepciones y estrategias de operacionalización de la red de atención en salud, así como las condiciones de salud de las unidades de salud de la familia. Método: estudio cualitativo realizado en 2014, con 30 entrevistas con gerentes, trabajadores y usuarios de ocho unidades de salud familiar (USF) en un municipio del Nordeste brasileño. Fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación (CAAE: 24516113.1.0000.5030). Resultados: los datos señalaron la fragilidad en la articulación entre los distintos sectores de atención, caracterizando la fragmentación del sistema de salud. Las condiciones de salud de las unidades revelan: falta de instrumentos, equipos, profesionales y que no existe una estructura ideal para satisfacer las necesidades de salud de la población. Como consecuencia hay prejuicios para los resultados de estos servicios, así como cambios en los flujos y sobrecargas de atención secundaria y terciaria. Conclusión: dado que la atención primaria de salud representa la base, la resolutividad y el centro de comunicación de la red, los gerentes deben garantizar las condiciones sanitarias adecuadas a las UFH.

Primary Health Centres: Preferred Option for Birthing Care in Tamilnadu, India, from Users’ Perspectives.

Tamilnadu state of India witnessed an increasing trend of institutional deliveries since the beginning of 1990s, with decline of domiciliary deliveries to nearly zero now. Among the institutional deliveries, a shift has been observed since 2006 wherein primary health centres (PHC) have shown a four-fold increase in the number of deliveries while other public and private health facilities showed a decline, despite equal access by people to all categories of health facilities. A qualitative study was designed to explore the determinants that led to increased preference of PHCs for birthing care. In-depth interviews and FGDs were conducted with recently-delivering women and their spouses. User-friendly ambience, courteous attitude and behaviour of staff, good infrastructure, availability of qualified staff, and relative absence of informal payments have contributed to increased preference for birthing care in PHCs. Barriers to seeking care from secondary and tertiary-level public hospitals and private hospitals have also made women prefer PHCs.

Impacto del plan nacer en los 97 centros de salud dependientes de la dirección de atención primaria de la salud. periodo 2005-2012

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, para conocer el impacto quetuvo el Plan Nacer en la cobertura de atención de los 97 Centros de Salud, dependientes de la Municipalidad de Córdoba. Siendo launidad de análisis el resumen mensual de programas, tomando los periodos sin plan 2005- 2008 y con el plan 2009-2012. Se analizaron comparativamente los años pre y post plan de los distintos programas de la Dirección de Atención Primaria. En relación con los programas de embarazo y puerperio si bien nose detectaron diferencias significativas, el numero promedio de las mismas fueron mayores, (un 5% y 2% respectivamente) enrelación a los valores al inicio del plan. En cuanto al programa de salud reproductiva, con la implementación del plan se observo un promedio significativamente mayor. Respecto al programa de crecimiento y desarrollo los valores promedios de los indicadores en la etapa posterior al plan Nacer no mostraron diferencias respecto de los valores previos al plan. Sinembargo durante los años del plan se observó una disminución de 3248 casos en la brecha entre niños fichados y niños que concurren mensualmente a control y, a su vez, el promedio de kgde leche entregados se incrementó en 12259 kg.

A retrospective study was conducted to know the impact of theBirth Plan care coverage of the 97 health centers, dependent on theMunicipality of Cordoba. As the unit of analysis the monthly summaryof programs, taking no plan periods 2005- 2008 and with the planperiods 2009-2012. They are comparatively analyzed pre and postyear plan individual programs of the Department of Primary Care.In relation to pregnancy and postpartum programs although significantdifferences were detected, the average number of them were older(5% and 2% respectively) relative to the values at the beginning of theplan. Regarding reproductive health program, with the implementationof the plan significantly higher average was observed.With regard to the Growth and Development average values of theindicators in the post Birth Plan showed no differences from theprevious plan values. However for plan years 3248 cases adecrease in the gap between on file children and childrenattending monthly to control and, in turn, the average kg of delivered milkincreased by 12259 kg was observed.

Perception of Weight and Health Status among Women Working at Health Centres of Tehran.

Perception of body-weight status is an important determinant of weight-related behaviours and may affect the burden of weight disturbances as a public-health problem. No study has assessed self-perception of the weight status regarding body-fat distribution among health workers to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the perception of weight and health status among 542 women working at health centres of Tehran. We assessed their perceived body-weight and health status and measured waist- and hip-circumference, weight, and height to calculate waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) as a measure of fat distribution and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2). Women reported their sociodemographic information, and the perceived weight and health status were compared with their actual fatness status, defined based on WHR and BMI, to determine misperception of weight status. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to assess the predictive effects of various sociodemographic factors and actual fatness on the perception of weight and health status. The results showed that more than 40% of women with normal BMI overestimated their body-weight status while only 15.8% of these women had central obesity. BMI was the most important variable associated with misperceived weight status as normal-weight women had significantly more misperception (OR 8.16, 95% CI 4.82-13.82) than overweight/obese women. WHR did not show any significant relationships with perceived weight status. In addition, perception of health status was not associated with actual fatness indices. It is concluded, BMI was the main predictor of the perception of weight status in female employees. The importance of using body-fat distribution in the perceptions of weight and health status should be emphasized.

A Cross Sectional Study of Intern’s Willingness to Serve in Rural Primary Health Centres of Andhra Pradesh, India

The shortage of health professionals in rural areas is a global problem. The urban and rural maldistribution of doctors results in severe problems regarding access to and performance of health care services. Retaining doctors in rural areas is a challenging task for a number of reasons, ranging from personal preferences to difficult work conditions and low remuneration. The objective of the study was to understand the factors influencing medical and dental intern’s choice to work in rural PHC’s as a basis for designing policies to redress geographic imbalances in health professional’s distribution. A total of 385 dental and medical interns in Andhra Pradesh provided a unique contingent valuation data in a cross sectional survey conducted in 4 medical and 4 dental colleges in Andhra Pradesh, using a questionnaire concerning their preferences, related incentives to work in various rural and remote primary health centres of Andhra Pradesh state, India. The response rate of the study was 89 %, (n= 344), with only 24% of interns expressing their willingness to serve in rural/remote primary health centres. Most of the interns stressed for increase in salary, better accommodation and infrastructure of the hospitals as the factors for increasing their retention in remote rural areas. Although most Indian students are motivated to study medicine and dentistry by the desire to help others, this does not translate into willingness to work in rural areas. Efforts from the government to build intrinsic motivation during medical and dental training to serve in these deprived areas should be in focus with addition to improved working and living conditions and better remuneration.

An application of Indian public health standard for evaluation of primary health centers of an EAG and a Non-EAG state.

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has provided the opportunities to develop a standard for Sub centers, PHCs and CHCs in the country, popularly known as Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). The study was carried out to find out and compare to what extent the IPHS were followed by the PHCs in the selected districts of both the Empowered Action Group (EAG) state of Assam and non EAG state of Karnataka. It was a Cross sectional observational study conducted during September-October 2008 where the quality of care and services provided in the selected PHCs as per the IPHS norms was assessed. All the PHCs in both the studied districts were rendering the assured services of OPD, 24hrs general emergency service and referral services while 24 hour delivery services were being provided by 80% of the PHCs of the selected districts of both the states. Functional labor rooms were available only in 80% and 90% of the studied PHCs in Assam and Karnataka respectively. Basic laboratory facilities, for routine blood, urine and stool examination were available in 80% of the studied PHCs in the non-EAG state of Karnataka while it was only in 20% of the studied PHCs of the EAG state of Assam. The findings of the present study revealed important deficiencies as per IPHS norms in the studied PHCs of both Assam and Karnataka.