Caracterización clínico-histológica de pacientes con cáncer esofágico del Hospital Nacional "Guido Valadares", Timor Oriental

RESUMEN Introducción: El cáncer de esófago es una enfermedad descrita desde hace 2 000 años y en la actualidad ocupa el octavo lugar en incidencia a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-histológicas de los pacientes con cáncer esofágico del Hospital Nacional "Guido Valadares" de Timor Oriental. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional-descriptivo y retrospectivo en 106 personas con diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico de cánceres esofágicos atendidos en la Unidad de Endoscopia del servicio de Gastroenterología de dicha institución, desde junio de 2016 hasta mayo de 2021. Se analizaron variables como: grupo etario, sexo y otros factores de riesgo (manifestaciones clínicas, tiempo de comienzo de los síntomas, localización, tipo endoscópico y tipo histológico). Resultados: El cáncer de esófago fue más frecuente en hombres de 60 y más años de edad (65,1 %). El tabaquismo y la ingestión de alcohol fueron los factores de riesgo predominantes con el 64,2 % y 57,5 %, respectivamente. La mayoría de los casos se diagnosticaron entre los 3 y 6 meses del inicio de los síntomas, la disfagia el principal motivo de consulta (98,1 %). Desde el punto de vista endoscópico predominó el tipo polipoide o vegetante localizados en el tercio medio esofágico (45,3 %), constituyendo el carcinoma de células escamosas el tipo histológico más frecuente. Conclusiones: El estudio de las características clínico-histológicas de los pacientes con cáncer esofágico permite un adecuado enfoque diagnóstico de esta enfermedad, así como el desarrollo de acciones de salud preventivas sobre los principales factores de riesgo identificados.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Esophageal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related illness that has been described for two thousand years and currently set at the eighth place in incidence worldwide. Objective: To describe the clinical-histological features in patients with esophageal cancer at the Guido Valadares National Hospital in Timor-Leste. Method: An observational-descriptive and retrospective study was conducted in 106 patients with esophageal cancer related endoscopic and histological diagnosis. All of them attended in the Endoscopy Unit at the Gastroenterology service, from June 2016 to May 2021. Variables such as age group, sex and other risk factors like (clinical manifestations, the onset of symptom, location, endoscopic type and histological type) were analyzed. Results: Esophageal cancer was more frequent in male aged 60 and older (65.1%). Smoking and alcohol intake were the predominant risk factors (64.2% and 57.5%, respectively). Most of cases were diagnosed between 3 and 6 months after the onset of symptoms, with dysphagia as the main reason for consultation (98.1%). From the endoscopic point of view, polypoid mass or vegetating lesions found in the middle third of the esophagus predominated (45.3%), with squamous cell carcinoma as the most frequent histological type. Conclusions: Study of clinical-histological features in patients with esophageal cancer allows an adequate diagnostic approach to this illness, as well as the development of preventive health actions on the main risk factors identified.

RESUMO Introdução: O câncer de esôfago é uma doença descrita há 2.000 anos e atualmente ocupa o oitavo lugar em incidência mundial. Objetivo: Descrever as características clínico-histológicas dos pacientes com câncer de esôfago no Hospital Nacional "Guido Valadares" em Timor Leste. Método: Foi realizado um estudo observacional-descritivo e retrospectivo em 106 pessoas com diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico de câncer de esôfago atendidas na Unidade de Endoscopia do serviço de Gastroenterologia da referida instituição, no período de junho de 2016 a maio de 2021. Variáveis como: foram analisadas: faixa etária, sexo e outros fatores de risco (manifestações clínicas, tempo de início dos sintomas, localização, tipo endoscópico e tipo histológico). Resultados: O câncer de esôfago foi mais frequente em homens com 60 anos ou mais (65,1%). O tabagismo e o consumo de álcool foram os fatores de risco predominantes com 64,2% e 57,5%, respectivamente. A maioria dos casos foi diagnosticada entre 3 e 6 meses do início dos sintomas, sendo a disfagia o principal motivo de consulta (98,1%). Do ponto de vista endoscópico, predominou o tipo polipóide ou vegetativo localizado no terço médio do esôfago (45,3%), sendo o carcinoma espinocelular o tipo histológico mais frequente. Conclusões: O estudo das características clínico-histológicas de pacientes com câncer de esôfago permite uma adequada abordagem diagnóstica desta doença, bem como o desenvolvimento de ações preventivas de saúde sobre os principais fatores de risco identificados.

Prevalence and predictor stunting, wasting and underweight in Timor Leste children under five years: An analysis of DHS data in 2016

Stunting, wasting, and being underweight are indicators of malnutrition in a country. The high status reflects the poor nutritional and health status of children under five. We analyzed data from the Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Timor Leste from 2009 to 2016 to identify the prevalence and predictor stunting, wasting, and underweight. The variables analyzed were the mother's education, mother's age, mother BMI, mother's height, number of ANC visits, birth weight, sex of a child, sex of head household, type of residence, wealth index, toilet facility, source of drinking water and province. The sample in this study was 3,723 toddlers. Prevalence of stunting (44.4%), underweight (37.5%) and wasting (25.3%). In the bivariate analysis, the variables statistically significantly associated with stunting, underweight, and wasting was mother's education, sex of a child, type of residence, wealth index, and province. Improving the nutritional status of children in Timor Leste requires various nutrition and health interventions

Colitis ulcerosa: a propósito de un caso pediátrico / Ulcerative colitis: about a pediatric case / Colite ulcerativa: sobre um caso pediátrico

RESUMEN Se presentó el caso de un paciente masculino de 8 años de edad con antecedentes de salud anterior, referido a la consulta externa de Gastroenterología del Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, de Timor Oriental, por episodios recurrentes de diarreas mucosanguinolentas acompañadas de dolor abdominal en hipogastrio de cuatro meses de evolución. Se realizaron exámenes de laboratorio, ultrasonido abdominal y videocolonoscopia con citología y biopsia de la mucosa del colon. El estudio endoscópico informó una colitis ulcerativa extensa y la histología arrojó el diagnóstico de una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica intestinal del tipo colitis ulcerosa. La colitis ulcerosa es un proceso inflamatorio intestinal de origen desconocido que causa inflamación crónica, difusa y continua, en la mucosa y submucosa. Su incidencia en los niños está aumentando y afecta, incluso, a los lactantes. Se indicó tratamiento dietético y medicamentoso. Actualmente se encuentra asintomático y lleva seguimiento mensual en la consulta de Digestivo.

ABSTRACT The case of an 8-year-old male patient with a previous health history was presented, referred to the Gastroenterology outpatient clinic of the Guido Valadares National Hospital, East Timor, for recurrent episodes of mucosanguineous diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain in the hypogastrium with four months of evolution. Laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound and video colonoscopy with cytology and biopsy of the colon mucosa were performed. The endoscopic study reported extensive ulcerative colitis and the histology gave the diagnosis of a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of the ulcerative colitis type. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory intestinal process of unknown origin that causes chronic, diffuse and continuous inflammation in the mucosa and submucosa. Its incidence in children is increasing and affects even infants. Dietary and drug treatment was indicated. He is currently asymptomatic and undergoes monthly follow-up in the Digestive Clinic.

RESUMO Foi apresentado o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 8 anos, com antecedentes de saúde, encaminhado ao ambulatório de Gastroenterologia do Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Timor Leste, por episódios recorrentes de diarreia mucosanguínea acompanhada de dor abdominal em hipogástrio de quatro meses de evolução. Foram realizados exames laboratoriais, ultrassonografia abdominal e videocolonoscopia com citologia e biópsia da mucosa do cólon. O estudo endoscópico relatou colite ulcerativa extensa e a histologia deu o diagnóstico de doença inflamatória intestinal crônica do tipo colite ulcerativa. A colite ulcerosa é um processo inflamatório intestinal de origem desconhecida que causa inflamação crônica, difusa e contínua na mucosa e na submucosa. Sua incidência em crianças está aumentando e afeta até mesmo bebês. Foi indicado tratamento dietético e medicamentoso. Ele atualmente é assintomático e tem acompanhamento mensal na consulta Digestiva.

Avaliação da armadilha ovitrampa iscada com atraente natural para o monitoramento de Aedes spp. em Dili, capital do Timor-Leste / Evaluation of the baited ovitrap with natural attractant for monitoring Aedes spp. in Dili, capital of East Timor

Resumo A dengue ocorre no Timor-Leste desde 2005, porém não existe um programa de monitoramento e controle do "Aedes aegypti". O objetivo deste estudo foi de avaliar a armadilha ovitrampa iscada com atraente natural como uma possível ferramenta para monitorar o vetor das arboviroses: Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV) e Zika (ZIKV). O estudo foi realizado na cidade de Dili, capital do Timor-Leste, entre as semanas epidemiológicas 32 (02/08) a 48 (02/12) de 2016. Foram instaladas 70 armadilhas Ovitrampa, em residências de 15 sucos (ruas), de quatro Postos Administrativos (bairros) da cidade. Para as analises dos dados utilizou-se os indicadores entomológicos: Índice de Positividade de Ovitrampa (IPO), Índice de Densidade Vetorial (IDV) e Índice de Densidade de Ovos (IDO). Durante o experimento foram coletados 158.904 ovos de Aedes spp.. O IPO demonstrou que todas as áreas tiveram 98% a 100% de armadilhas contendo ovos de Aedes spp.. Os indicadores IDO e IPO apresentaram correlações positivas e significativa com a temperatura. A defasagem de duas e três semanas para precipitação indicou correlação positiva significativa para IDV e IDO. Portanto, a armadilha ovitrampa é uma ferramenta que pode integrar as ações de um programa de monitoramento e controle de Aedes spp. no Timor-Leste.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Tuberculosis in Timor-Leste: Results From the Demographic and Health Survey 2016 / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tuberculosis (TB) in the general population in Timor-Leste. METHODS: In the nationally representative cross-sectional 2016 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey, 4622 men (aged 15-59 years) and 12 607 women (aged 15-49 years) were randomly selected using stratified multistage sampling and interviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 66.9% of men and 62.8% of women were aware of TB, 4.4% of men and 12.6% of women had TB courtesy stigma, and 83.3% of men and 88.6% of women reported intention to receive TB treatment. The mean±standard deviation overall TB knowledge score was 3.9±2.0 (out of 8) among men and 3.0±1.8 among women. In a multivariable linear regression analysis, among both men and women, older age, higher education, rural residence, and sources of TB information (family/friends, school/workplace, health care provider, Internet, television, and newspaper) were associated with higher TB knowledge scores. In addition, among women, higher wealth status and having heard about TB from the radio were associated with higher TB knowledge scores. Negative associations with TB courtesy stigma were found for urban residence and having heard about TB from family or friends among men, and for older age, higher TB knowledge, and TB information sources (family/friends and school/workplace) among women. Among both men and women, higher TB knowledge scores and having heard of TB from a health care provider were associated with intention to receive TB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified socio-demographic risk factors for deficiences in population-based TB knowledge in Timor-Leste; these findings should be considered when designing TB communication, prevention, and control strategies.

Opportunities in oral health policy for Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste faces an urgent set of challenges in oral health. The impact of oral diseases in terms of reduced quality of life and cost of treatment is considerable. This paper reviews progress on policy recommendations since the National Oral Health Survey in 2002, the first such national survey. Few proposals have been implemented to date, owing to (i) lack of local support for the recommendations, particularly on promotion of oral health; (ii) lack of financial and budgetary provisions for oral health; (iii) lack of focus on services, human resources and dental personnel; (iv) poor focus, design and implementation of policy and planning in oral health; and (v) lack of transport to facilitate health-care workers’ access to remote areas. Based on this assessment, the present paper presents a reconfigured set of policies and recommendations for oral health that take into consideration the reasons for low uptake of previous guidance. Key priorities are promotion of oral health, legislative interventions, education of the oralhealth workforce, dental outreach programmes, targeted dental treatment, dental infrastructure programmes, and research and evaluation. Interventions include promotion of oral health for schoolchildren, salt fluoridation, fluoride toothpaste and banning sweet stalls and use of tobacco and betel nut in, or near, schools. Timor-Leste should strengthen the availability and quality of outreach programmes for oral health. Dental therapists and dental nurses who can supply preventive and atraumatic restorative dental care should continue to be trained, and the planned dentistry school should be established. Ongoing research and evaluation is needed to ensure that the approach being used in Timor-Leste is leading to improved outcomes in oral health.

International cooperation and health policy implementation in a post-conflict situation: the case of East Timor / Cooperação internacional e formulação de políticas de saúde em situação pós-conflito: o caso do Timor-Leste

This study centers on relationships among national and international actors in preparation of the first health policy document for East Timor, under the United Nations transitional administration, between 1999 and 2002. International cooperation support for the health system rehabilitation process during the post-conflict period is analyzed as part of reconstruction of the State in parallel with construction of the country's political and institutional framework. Knowledge, ideas, "ways of doing," and induced and accepted practices permeate an interplay of power relationships that condition both national political alliance-building and the architecture of international aid, pointing to input to a discussion of how these mechanisms interact at different conjunctures and times in different negotiating frameworks. .

Dedica-se, aqui, às relações entre diferentes atores na elaboração do primeiro documento de política de saúde para o Timor-Leste, sob a administração transitória das Nações Unidas, de 1999 a 2002. O apoio da cooperação internacional no processo de reabilitação do sistema de saúde no período pós-conflito é analisado como parte da reconstrução do Estado e concomitante à construção do arcabouço político e institucional no país. Conhecimentos, ideias, "modos de fazer" e práticas induzidas e aceitas entremeiam um jogo de relações de poder que condiciona tanto a articulação política nacional quanto a arquitetura da ajuda externa, apontando elementos para a discussão de como esses mecanismos se organizam em conjunturas diferentes de negociação.

Risk Assessment for Groundwater Resources in Dili, The Capital City of Timor-Leste.

As a newly independent nation-state, Timor-Leste is in the process of developing itself to achieve better condition to meet and provide the needs of its citizens. However, Timor-Leste is still facing challenges in many areas including lack of clean water supply from groundwater resources. Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste, is an emerging urban city that makes water availability is crucial. High birth rate and continuing rural-urban migration to Dili signifies that population in Dili is likely to increase, and this has put more pressure on water resources. For the groundwater resource in Dili - deforestation, lack of waste management, and unsafe boreholes and unmanaged domestic wells - are the main issues that need to be addressed because they can greatly affect groundwater in terms of reducing the quantity and potential hazards for contamination. This paper highlights thatassessing the risk to groundwater resources is vital for the sustainable management of water supply in Dili.This paper can definitely serve as an effort to raise awareness about the groundwater issue in the country that should be considered by the government of Timor-Leste.

Barriers to malaria control in rural south-west Timor-Leste: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Malaria is an important health problem in Timor-Leste. Although funding has been provided to reduce the burden of this disease, few studies have investigated whether this has improved malaria-related knowledge, management of symptoms, and treatment in rural communities. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and practices undertaken in relation to all aspects of malaria control by members of two rural communities in Timor-Leste. Methods: A qualitative study was undertaken in two rural hamlets in Timor-Leste. Research methods included transect walks, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to identify themes. Results: The location of the hamlets near rice fields, leaking taps, inadequate water supplies and dumping of waste from the local hospital provided opportunities for mosquitoes to breed. Most participants were aware of the link between mosquitoes and malaria, but a lack of control over their environment was a major barrier to preventing malaria. The distribution of bed nets had occurred once, and was the only intervention undertaken by the National Malaria Control Programme. However, limiting the distribution of bed nets to pregnant women and children aged under 5 years had resulted in some focus group respondents believing that only those in these groups could be affected by malaria. Self-diagnosis and home treatment were common. Treatment for unresolved infections depended on access to transport funds, and belief in the power of traditional healers. Conclusion: Improvements in infrastructure, empowerment of rural communities, and better access to treatment are recommended if the incidence of malaria is to be reduced throughout the country.

Responding to measles outbreak: closing the immunity gap in children of Timor-Leste

Background: An outbreak of measles was reported in Timor-Leste during 2011. A concerted response at national level utilized this opportunity to improve measles immunization coverage rates. Methods: Health Management Information System and Surveillance System data were utilized to describe the outbreak. Attack rates and case fatality rates (CFR) were calculated using standard methods. Evaluation surveys were used to access immunization coverage. Proceedings of weekly meetings of the National Committee for Control of Disease Outbreaks were reviewed. Results: A total of 739 cases and 8 deaths were reported to the Surveillance Unit. Most (>82%) of the measles cases were reported from Dili and Ermera districts. The attack rate was 1.3 per 1000 population and CFR was 1.1%. The response was coordinated by the National Committee for Control of Disease Outbreaks, which included case management, active and passive surveillance,communication and measles immunization among six-month to 14-year old children. Immunization activity targeted 495 000 children, i.e. almost one-half of the Timor-Leste population and achieved high coverage (85%). Conclusions: The outbreak highlighted gaps in the immunity against measles. The National Committee for Control of Disease Outbreaks ensured a coordinated response which led to prevention of deaths from measles due to early case management with vitamin A supplementation, and high measles immunization coverage.

Tuberculosis palpebral en un anciano / Palpebral tuberculosis in an elderly

Se presenta el caso clínico de un anciano de 70 años, procedente de una comunidad de Timor Leste, que acudió a la consulta donde laboraba la brigada médica cubana por presentar aumento de volumen de los párpados y ganglios cervicales desde hacía 5 meses. Teniendo en cuenta el diagnóstico clinicoepidemiológico y la respuesta al tratamiento empleado, se concluyó que se trataba de una tuberculosis palpebral; afección tan infrecuente que motivó su descripción para ser publicada.

The clinical case of a 70-year-old man from a community of Timor Leste is reported, who attended the outpatient department, where the Cuban medical brigade worked, due to enlargement of cervical lymph nodes and eyelids for 5 months. Taking into account the clinical epidemiological diagnosis and the response to the used treatment, it is concluded that it was palpebral tuberculosis. This affection is so uncommon that it motivated its description to be published.

Formulação de políticas de saúde em situação pós-conflito: o processo de elaboração do primeiro documento propositivo de uma política de saúde para o Timor Leste, 1999 a 2002 / Formulation of health policies in post-conflict situation: the process of preparing the first document of a purposeful policy of Health for East Timor, 1999 to 2002

O processo de reabilitação do setor saúde em condições pós-conflito é complexo, com prazos muito ajustados e envolve diferentes atores, nacionais e internacionais, exigindo mecanismos de coordenação que maximizem o fluxo da cooperação internacional, tanto financeira quanto da assistência técnica. Este trabalho analisa, em perspectiva histórica, o papel dos diferentes atores, nacionais e internacionais, no processo de elaboração do primeiro documento propositivo de uma política de saúde para o Timor Leste, entre 1999 e 2002, período da administração temporária das Nações Unidas (UNTAET) no país. A proposta de uma política de saúde surgiu, primeiro, nas mobilizações de profissionais timorenses da saúde, em 1999, e, posteriormente, foi retomada nos relatórios das missões conjuntas de avaliação (MiCAs), coordenadas pelo Banco Mundial, e incorporada nos projetos de reabilitação e desenvolvimento para o setor, também financiados pelo Banco. Todo esse processo se deu concomitantemente à construção do arcabouço político nacional e da burocracia administrativa do Estado, promovida pelo governo co-participativo da UNTAET. O desafio deste trabalho foi analisar, nessas condições, como se deu a relação entre diferentes atores, a partir de espaços de troca e de transferência, de conhecimentos e idéias e de um conjunto de “modos de fazer” e de práticas, que permearam o processo de formulação de uma proposta de política para o setor saúde timorense. Conclui-se que, no Timor Leste, a situação de conflito e pós-conflito condicionou, de forma importante, a arquitetura da ajuda externa e esta, por sua vez, pautou a relação entre os diferentes atores, nacionais e internacionais. Por um lado, a realização dos anseios de autodeterminação e independência dos timorenses, e a reconstrução do Estado, dependiam, crucialmente, dessa ajuda e da mediação das Nações Unidas; e, por outro, a reabilitação nacional, inclusive do setor saúde, necessitava do apoio técnico externo, possibilitado pela cooperação técnica, também viabilizada e mediada pelas agências internacionais envolvidas no processo, sobretudo o Banco Mundial. A análise do processo de formulação do primeiro documento propositivo de política de saúde para o Timor Leste aponta elementos para a discussão de como a cooperação técnica internacional, a oferta de idéias, as condicionalidades e os mecanismos de controle das agências e doadores se articulam em conjunturas particulares, em que diversas arenas políticas se entrelaçam em diferentes tempos e espaços de negociação.

The use of medicines and standard treatment guidelines in rural Timor-Leste / 国際保健医療

<b>Background</b><br> Under resource-limited circumstances, standard clinical practice for prioritized illnesses and conditions were introduced to nurses and midwives in primary health care (PHC) facilities in Timor-Leste. This research aims to asses the use of medicines and standard treatment guidelines (STGs) in community health centers (CHCs) in Timor-Leste and to analyze factors that influence adherence to STGs.<br><b>Methods</b><br> Randomly sampled 20 CHCs without beds were visited from February to August, 2006. In each CHC, 100 retrospective samples from patient registration books and 30 prospective observations were collected and then quantitatively analyzed. Open-ended interviews to three members of health personnel per CHC were qualitatively analyzed.<br><b>Results</b><br> Use of injections in Timor-Leste was extremely low when compared to results from other countries that used the same international indicators. The percentage of encounters with an antibiotic prescribed was significantly lower for prescribers with clinical nurse training than those without the training. A significantly higher level of prescribing adherence was observed among clinical nurse prescribers. None of the facility characteristics investigated was associated with the CHC's overall prescribing adherence to STGs. Open-ended interviews to CHC health personnel revealed that changes brought about by the introduction of STGs were positively perceived by respondents, especially clinical nurses.<br><b>Discussion</b><br> Unlike previous studies on physician adherence to STGs in western countries, changes brought about by the introduction of STGs were positively perceived by PHC health personnel in Timor-Leste. STGs were developed and introduced in a policy framework that reflected local needs and reality and related with the Basic Package of Health Services policy and other policies and programs, such as human resource development, medicines policy and resource allocation plans. That fact was considered to have produced positive results in this study. Timor-Leste's experience implies a potential of STGs for non-physician health personnel working at PHC level in other resource-limited areas.

A Report on Medical Support and Health Education Activities for Internally Displaced Persons in Dili Area, East Timor / 国際保健医療

 SHARE started Health Education Promotion Project in East Timor in 2002 and has been actively engaged for over 4 years. The political and social unrest in the spring of 2006 produced as many as 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), almost one sixth of the total population of the country. Viewing a dire situation in which people were placed, SHARE launched humanitarian assistance in 20 camps from August through December 2006. The interventions carried out were, among others, monitoring malnourished children with UNICEF, health education/promotion and mobile clinic in IDP camps, and supportive activities for Bairo Pite Clinic.<br> The health education cumulatively reached 753 persons in 20 camps. Main health topics covered were sanitation, nutrition and skin infections. The mobile clinic in the Metinaro Camp was carried out 12 times seeing 1,227 persons. Main diseases identified were upper respiratory tract infections, skin infections and acute watery diarrhoea.<br> We think that; i) coordination with donors in compliance with East Timorese national policy on IDPs is essential, ii) NGOs with experience in long-term health promotion can have an important role to play in emergencies, iii) even in an emergency situation, focusing on primary health care is important from the early stage of humanitarian assistance, iv) it is vital to take sustainability of those activities into account from the planning stage.