Ética en investigación: Nuevos desafíos, ¿viejos dilemas? / Research Ethics: New challenges, old dilemmas?

Memoria de las ponencias del 1er Congreso de Ética en Investigación, realizado en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires en septiembre de 2022, y organizado por el Comité Central de Ética en Investigación del Ministerio de Salud de esta ciudad. Los dos ejes del Congreso fueron: Desafíos éticos en la investigación durante la pandemia y post-pandemia; y Aporte de las nuevas tecnologías para los procesos de investigación. Se presentan las ponencias del congreso, organizadas en los capítulos: El trabajo de los Comités de Ética en Investigación durante la pandemia; El rol de las comunidades en la investigación; Aporte de las nuevas tecnologías para los procesos de investigación; y Desafíos modernos para la investigación en salud.

Las Investigaciones en Servicios y Sistemas de Salud, instrumento de gestión en la atención sanitaria / Research in Health Services and Systems, a management tool in health care

Mejorar los procesos de atención en los servicios sanitarios es una prioridad del Ministerio de Salud Pública en Cuba y la Investigación en Servicios y Sistemas de Salud. Las proyecciones en este campo pueden estar dirigidas a la descripción de problemas de salud y de los servicios, la evaluación de intervenciones en salud (promoción, prevención, curación y rehabilitación) y las enfocadas en determinar situaciones problemáticas surgidas en la aplicación de actividades sanitarias con el objetivo de analizar las causas posibles y encontrar soluciones. Las investigaciones en servicios y sistemas de salud facilitan la planificación, organización, evaluación y control de los servicios y aportan evidencias para la dirección científica del sistema de Salud, por lo que el objetivo del artículo es analizar los aspectos metodológicos y organizacionales de las Investigaciones en Servicios y Sistemas de Salud y posibilitar la participación de los profesionales y directivos de múltiples disciplinas que propician la intersectorialidad.

Improving care processes in health services is a priority of the Ministry of Public Health in Cuba and Research in Health Services and Systems. The projections in this field can be aimed at the description of health problems and services, the evaluation of health interventions (promotion, prevention, cure, and rehabilitation) and those focused on determining problematic situations that arise in the application of health activities with the objective of analyzing the possible causes and finding solutions. Research in health services and systems facilitate the planning, organization, evaluation, and control of services and provide evidence for the scientific direction of the health system, so the objective of the article is to analyze the methodological and organizational aspects of Research in Health Services and Systems and enable the participation of professionals and managers from multiple disciplines that foster intersectoriality.

Health policy and systems research capacity development to support maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health in West and Central Africa

Objectives: To examine how and why a South-South capacity development and networking program for leadership, research, practice and advocacy on maternal new-born, child and adolescent health and health policy and systems strengthening in West Africa and Cameroon worked and identify lessons for low- and middle-income countries. Design: Single qualitative case study drawing on data from document review, observations, key informant interviews and a deliberative workshop. Ethics approval for primary data collection was obtained from the Ghana Health Service Ethical Review Committee (GHS-ERC 012/10/18). Setting: West Africa and Cameroon Participants: Researchers, policy and programme managers and frontline health workers Interventions: Networking and capacity development Results: The programme made good progress in implementing many but not all planned capacity development and networking activities. The opportunity to network with other organisations and individuals and across countries, disciplines, and languages as well as to learn, to develop skills, and obtain mentorship support, were considered valuable benefits of the partnership. Human and financial resource constraints meant that not all planned interventions could be implemented. Conclusions: Lessons for health policy and systems research capacity building in LMIC include the potential of South-South partnerships, the need for dedicated resources, the potential of Sub-regional health organizations to support capacity building and recognition that each effort builds on preceding efforts of others, and that it is important to explore and understand where the energy and momentum for change lies.

Impact of Non-Weighting in the Analysis of Data Obtained from Complex Samples

Abstract Objective: To compare the estimates obtained, considering or not the weighting data. Material and Methods: Secondary data from the Oral Health Survey of the State of São Paulo (SBSP2015) was used for calculation of mean estimates, standard errors of the mean and confidence intervals (CI) for the DMFT index and components (decayed, lost and filled), in the age group of 35-44 years. Multiple logistic regression models were estimated, considering or not the weighting from the sampling plan (p<0.05). Results: It was observed that the estimates of the DMFT index and the carious component did not vary much when the design was considered or not (1.1% and 2.0%, respectively). However, the data referring to the lost and filled component showed greater differences between the values of the means. The averages fluctuated up and down by up to 6.7% for weighted versus unweighted analyses. The standard error was underestimated in the unweighted analysis and the confidence interval showed variations. Differences between the regression models obtained by the weighted and unweighted analysis of the data were detected. Conclusion: Although weighted and unweighted models presented differences of less than 10% in estimates of the mean, confidence intervals, as well as statistical inferences, were different. Thus, weighting should be applied in the population base data analysis collected by sampling with complex designs.

Movimentos do desejo no trabalho em saúde: cartografia do cotidiano / Movements of desire in health work: cartography of everyday life

Este livro contempla reflexões de vivências da produção da dissertação ­ mestrado acadêmico ­ no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva (PPGCol), da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), apresentada em janeiro de 2020. Acompanha parte das arguições realizadas, na ocasião, pelos membros da banca de avaliação, finalizando com uma "réplica" aos argumentos dos três docentes. Trata-se de um trabalho de mapeamento da trajetória de um serviço regional de saúde gaúcho, pertencente ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Nele se revela um trânsito entre a arte e a escrita acadêmica que caracteriza a expedição cartográfica empreendida entre 2011 e 2019. O objetivo foi apresentar a possibilidade de produzir conhecimentos e aprendizagens em ato, a partir do mapeamento referido. Metodologicamente seguiu as pistas da cartografia: o rastreio, o toque, o pouso e o reconhecimento atento; assim descreveram-se cenas, fatos e acontecimentos daquele período. Foram revelados tensionamentos nos modos como o trabalho se organiza e nas relações que as pessoas estabelecem entre si e com o trabalho, traduzidos em pistas que fazem emergir registros autorais da escuta do cotidiano, tendo como referência o campo de conhecimentos e de práticas da Saúde Coletiva.

A pesquisa em saúde no Brasil: desafios a enfrentar / Health research in Brazil: challenges to be faced

RESUMO O ensaio apresenta reflexões sobre o quanto a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento são capazes de promover um ciclo virtuoso nos sistemas universais de saúde, como o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), dotando-os de ciência para a tomada de decisão e de propostas inovadoras, quando consideradas as opiniões de seus usuários. A partir das demandas por 'pesquisa' expostas no relatório final da VIII Conferência Nacional de Saúde, apresenta o cenário atual da pesquisa no Brasil, com ênfase na insuficiência do financiamento e na lacuna entre a produção científica e as práticas em saúde. Conclui apresentando os desafios que devem ser transpostos pelos pesquisadores em saúde para inserir os brasileiros, suas realidades e capacidades na geração de mudança e inovação para o SUS, na redução de desigualdades sociais, a partir de debates sobre o futuro dos sistemas universais.

ABSTRACT The essay presents reflections on how much research and development are capable of promoting a virtuous cycle in universal health systems, such as the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), endowing them with science for decision making and innovative proposals, when considering the opinions of its users. Based on the demands for 'research' presented in the final report of the VIII National Health Conference, it presents the current scenario of research in Brazil, with emphasis on insufficient funding and the gap between scientific production and health practices. It concludes by presenting the challenges that health researchers must translate to include Brazilians, their realities and capacities in the promotion of change and innovation for the SUS in the reduction of social inequalities, departing from debates on the future of universal systems.

Telecardiology on the diagnostic support of chest pain in twenty-two Emergency Care Units (UPA 24h) in the State of Rio de Janeiro / Telecardiology on the diagnostic support of chest pain in twenty-two Emergency Care Units (UPA 24h) in the State of Rio de Janeiro

Background: Telecardiology may be a useful support in diagnosis and management of chest pain. Objective: Evaluate the application of telecardiology to support the differential diagnosis of chest pain in patients admitted to Emergency Care Units. Method: Observational, retrospective and documental study of 5,816 patients admitted with supposedly cardiological chest pain in twenty two Emergency Care Units in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Data were tabulated and analyzed by Excel® software, using simple descriptive statistics, from the database of the Cardiology Consultancy Nucleus. Results: Diagnostic disagreement was found in 1,593 (27.39%) cases. Of these, 1,477 (92.72%) were diagnosed locally as non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI), 74 (4.64%) as acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI), 40 (2.52%) as acute pulmonary edema (APE) and 2 (0.12%) as tachyarrhythmia. Intensive care referral was requested to 100% of these patients. After telecardiology, the diagnoses were: 385 (24.17%) unstable angina, 289 (18.14%) congestive heart failure, 212 (13.31%) APE, 174 (10.92%) STEMI, 152 (9.54%) hypertensive emergency, 113 (7.09%) acute chronic renal failure, 89 (5.59%) non-STEMI, 89 (5.59%) pneumonia, 39 (2.45%) sepsis, 26 (1.63 %) myopericarditis, 20 (1.26%) tachyarrhythmia and 5 (0.31%) orovalvar disease. The outcome after telecardiology was 1,178 discharges (73.94%), 338 (21.21%) referrals, 62 (3.90%) deaths and 15 (0.95%) unknown. Conclusion: Telecardiology was effective in chest pain diagnosis and management, optimizing hospital admission in the public health system

Concepción teórica de la recepción masiva de intoxicados en los hospitales durante emergencias químicas / Theoretical conception of mass reception of intoxicated people in hospitals during chemical emergencies

Introducción: La recepción masiva de intoxicados en los hospitales, derivados de emergencias químicas, se sustenta en postulados teóricos generales de estas emergencias, los siniestros con víctimas en masa y la teoría de los sistemas. Debe tributar al ciclo de reducción de riesgos de desastres. Objetivo: Diseñar una concepción teórica de la recepción masiva de intoxicados derivados de emergencias químicas, para los hospitales, que tribute a las fases de la etapa de respuesta del ciclo de reducción de riesgos de desastres. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación en sistemas y servicios de salud, entre los años 2005 y 2017. Se revisaron y analizaron fuentes bibliométricas e infométricas y se consultaron expertos en el proceso de concreción del resultado, por método de consenso para determinar la pertinencia. Resultados: Se concibió la recepción masiva de intoxicados en los hospitales como un sistema, que asumió cuatro subsistemas: el preparativo, ejecutivo y recuperativo como fundamentales, y el de aseguramiento, para garantizar el funcionamiento de estos. Todos están relacionados entre sí, con dependencia significativa entre ellos. Se caracteriza por ser: flexible, objetivo, participativo, oportuno, aceptable, adecuado y selectivo. Conclusiones: El enfoque sistémico de la recepción masiva de intoxicados en los hospitales como consecuencia de las emergencias químicas, constituye un referente de gran valor teórico para su comprensión integral como fenómeno complejo, su estructura está conformada por cuatro subsistemas: el preparativo, ejecutivo, recuperativo y el de aseguramiento, y tributa a las fases de la etapa de respuesta del ciclo de reducción de riesgos de desastres(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The mass reception of intoxicated people in hospitals, resulting from chemical emergencies, is based on general theoretical postulates of chemical emergencies, mass casualty events and systems theory, which must contribute to the disaster risk reduction. Objective: To design a hospital theoretical conception for mass reception of intoxicated people resulting from chemical emergencies. This conception should contribute to the response phases of the disaster risk reduction. Methods: This is a research on health systems and services conducted from 2005 to 2017. We reviewed and analyzed bibliometric and infometric sources and we consulted experts. To determine the relevance, we focused on the process of result concretion and consensus method. Results: The mass reception of intoxicated patients in hospitals was conceived as a system of four subsystems. The basic are preparatory, executive and recuperative subsystems. The assurance subsystem guarantees the operation. All subsystems relate to each other with significant dependence between them. This system is flexible, objective, participatory, timely, acceptable, adequate and selective. Conclusions: The systemic approach of the mass reception of intoxicated patients in hospitals resulting from chemical emergencies constitutes a valuable theoretical reference for its basic comprehension as a complex phenomenon. Four subsystems structures it: preparatory, executive, recuperative and assurance. It contributes to the response phases of the cycle for disaster risk reduction(AU)

Salud pública, innovaciones en investigación y perspectivas éticas: Segundo Encuentro de Comités de Ética en Investigación / Public health, research innovations and ethic perspectives: Second Meeting of Ethics Committees in Researching

El 25 de octubre de 2018 se realizó el Segundo Encuentro de Comités de Ética en Investigación 2018 "Salud Pública, Innovaciones en Investigación y Perspectivas Éticas", en la sede del Ministerio de Salud del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Los objetivos propuestos fueron coordinar acciones para la conformación de redes de conocimiento en investigación traslacional en un marco ético, brindar una actualización en aspectos éticos de nuevos diseños en investigación, traslacional, gestión de datos y muestras biológicas en salud y proponer un espacio de encuentro y diálogo entre los diferentes actores ligados a la investigación en salud. (AU)

Curso de nivel inicial sobre investigación en implementación en servicios de salud / Initial level course on implementation research in health services

Curso destinado a responsables de programas sanitarios, integrantes del Consejo de Investigación en Salud y Comité de Ética Central, integrantes de Comités de Docencia e Investigación de efectores públicos, investigadores del Ministerio de Salud del GCBA, becarios de investigación y salud pública. En los últimos 10 años, se ha puesto cada vez mayor énfasis en la ejecución de intervenciones reconocidas y eficaces, ya que está claro que podrían lograrse mayores beneficios para la salud con sólo mejorar la ejecución de las intervenciones de eficacia comprobada. En otras palabras, "desatender los problemas de implementación cuesta vidas y dinero." La brecha de implementación podría traducirse como la brecha de la acción a la salud de las personas: se refiere a las fallas en la implementación de intervenciones probadamente efectivas y seguras. La investigación en implementación aborda y busca reducir esta brecha, con el fin de fortalecer la eficiencia y capacidad de respuesta de los sistemas y servicios de salud y mejorar su impacto en la equidad y nivel de salud de la población. (AU)

Perspectivas metodológicas de la investigación en salud pública, breve mirada / Methodological perspectives of public health research. A brief look

RESUMEN La investigación permite el fortalecimiento de las disciplinas, particularmente aquellas que se nutren de información de varias especialidades, como la salud pública. El objetivo de este informe es proporcionar de forma consolidada perspectivas metodológicas viables para enriquecer a la salud pública como ciencia. De la revisión destacan tres elementos claves: el tipo de abordaje investigativo, los enfoques de evidencia y competencia en el contexto metodológico de la indagación en la salud colectiva. Se concluye que el conocimiento sistemático, específico, integrado al contexto y obtenido en atención a las circunstancias de la investigación, el objeto de estudio y la ubicación institucional, contribuyen con el fortalecimiento de la salud pública como ciencia multidisciplinaria, directamente implicada, por su competencia y base en la evidencia, en la toma de decisiones en materia de salud por parte del Estado en áreas tan importantes como las necesidades, los servicios y los sistemas de salud.

ABSTRACT Research allows for the strengthening of disciplines, particularly those that draw on information from various specialties, such as public health. The objective of this report is to provide consolidated methodological perspectives to enrich public health as a science. The review highlights three key elements: the type of investigative approach, the evidence and competence approaches in the methodological context of the inquiry into collective health. It is concluded that the systematic, specific knowledge, integrated to the context and obtained in attention to the circumstances of the investigation, the object of study and the institutional location, contribute with the strengthening of public health as a multidisciplinary science, directly involved, for its competence and based on the evidence, in the decision making in matters of health by the State in areas as important as needs, services and health systems.

Metodologías para la fijación de prioridades de investigación para la salud: Taller de curso inicial / Methodologies for setting research priorities for health: Initial course workshop

Informe de la capacitación realizada en diciembre de 2018 en la sede del Ministerio de Salud del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. El objetivo del curso fue identificar las brechas del conocimiento y las áreas de investigación de mayor impacto potencial sobre la salud de la población. Además, fue una herramienta para elaborar una agenda de investigación para la salud en el ámbito público de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. (AU)

Resumen Ejecutivo: Encuentro de Investigación: Investigación traslacional para los objetos de desarrollo sostenible: 18 de diciembre 2018 / Executive Summary: Research Meeting: Translational Research for Sustainable Development Objects: 18 December 2018

Encuentro de investigación realizado en la sede del Ministerio de Salud de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, basado en tres ejes principales: Políticas públicas de investigación: oportunidades para avanzar en la construcción de una red de conocimiento para la salud; Estrategias para consolidar la gestión del conocimiento en salud en el ámbito público; y Acreditación y supervisión de comités de ética en investigación públicos y privados: oportunidades para el fortalecimiento de la formación en investigación

Successful implementation of general health policies in the Islamic Republic of Iran: barriers and mechanisms

Background: The general health policies for the Islamic Republic of Iran were approved in April 2014.

Aims: This study examined the barriers currently faced by general health policies and the mechanisms required for the successful implementation of these polices.

Methods: This qualitative study was conducted as a two-phase project based on standard CAN-IMPLEMENT guidelines. A set of qualitative methods, including face-to-face in-depth interviews, focus groups, and in-person consensus meetings, were used to clarify mechanisms and barriers.

Results: Twenty-one mechanisms and 13 barriers were identified. The majority of mechanisms were related to the development of health infrastructures and appropriate allocation of resources. The most significant barriers to implementation of general health policies were lack of formulated strategies, poor management, lack of a comprehensive national action plan, minimal information infrastructures, and inadequate funding.

Conclusions: A thorough understanding of barriers and mechanisms for implementation of general health policies can provide the necessary background to ensure successful health promotion in the country.

The Virgin Islands National Information Systems for Health: vision, actions, and lessons learned for advancing the national public health agenda / Sistemas Nacionales de Información para la Salud de las Islas Vírgenes: visión, acciones y lecciones aprendidas para avanzar en la agenda nacional de salud pública / Os sistemas nacionais de informação para a saúde das Ilhas Virgens: visão, ações e lições aprendidas para o avanço da agenda nacional de saúde pública

ABSTRACT The British Virgin Islands (BVI) Ministry of Health and Social Development (MOHSD) recently identified the need for an updated strategy to advance the country's vision for Information Systems for Health (IS4H) ("Informed decision-making for better health outcomes"). Since the early 1990s, the MOHSD has recognized the importance of having strong conceptual foundations and mechanisms for its information systems, and the need to strengthen the production and use of good-quality health data to enable fulfillment of the territory's health goals. Therefore, in May 2017, BVI requested technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to develop a plan/"road map" for strengthening the MOHSD's stewardship capacity for IS4H. This resulted in a bilateral, country-led collaboration between PAHO and the Ministry to carry out two assessments of BVI's National Information Systems for Health (NISH): 1) a rapid assessment to map NISH policy, to develop a short- and medium-term workplan for strengthening and updating it, and 2) a maturity assessment, using PAHO's IS4H Maturity Model tool, to evaluate the implementation of NISH policy thus far and determine next steps. This article describes 1) the steps taken in this bilateral collaboration to update BVI's NISH policy and fine-tune its IS4H vision, including the development of a national plan/road map, and 2) lessons learned.

RESUMEN El Ministerio de Salud y Desarrollo Social de las Islas Vírgenes Británicas identificó recientemente la necesidad de tener una estrategia actualizada para avanzar la visión del país en el ámbito de los sistemas de información para la salud (IS4H) ("Toma de decisiones informadas para obtener mejores resultados de salud"). Desde principios de la década de 1990, el Ministerio ha reconocido la importancia de tener sólidos fundamentos conceptuales y mecanismos para sus sistemas de información, así como la necesidad de fortalecer la producción y el uso de datos de salud de buena calidad para permitir el cumplimiento de los objetivos de salud del territorio. En este contexto, en mayo de 2017 las Islas Vírgenes Británicas solicitaron la asistencia técnica de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) para desarrollar un plan u "hoja de ruta" para fortalecer su capacidad de administración en el ámbito de los IS4H. Esto resultó en una colaboración bilateral, dirigida por el país, entre la OPS y el Ministerio para llevar a cabo dos evaluaciones de los Sistemas Nacionales de Información para la Salud: 1) una evaluación rápida para mapear la política de estos sistemas, y desarrollar un plan de trabajo a corto y mediano plazo para fortalecerlos y actualizarlos y 2) una evaluación de madurez, utilizando la herramienta Modelo de Madurez de IS4H de la OPS, para evaluar la implementación de la política de Sistemas Nacionales de Información para la Salud hasta el momento y determinar los próximos pasos. Este artículo describe 1) los pasos dados en esta colaboración bilateral para actualizar la política de Sistemas Nacionales de Información para la Salud de las Islas Vírgenes Británicas y ajustar su visión del IS4H, incluido el desarrollo de un plan nacional u hoja de ruta, y 2) las lecciones aprendidas durante este proceso.

RESUMO O Ministério da Saúde e Desenvolvimento Social das Ilhas Virgens Britânicas identificou recentemente a necessidade de uma estratégia atualizada para avançar a visão do país para os Sistemas de Informação para a Saúde (IS4H) ("Tomada de decisão informada para melhores resultados de saúde"). Desde o início dos anos 1990, o Ministerio reconheceu a importância de ter fortes fundamentos conceituais e mecanismos para seus sistemas de informação, e a necessidade de fortalecer a produção e o uso de dados de boa qualidade em saúde para permitir o cumprimento das metas de saúde do território. Portanto, em maio de 2017, as Ilhas Virgens Britânicas solicitaram assistência técnica da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) para desenvolver um plano/roteiro para o fortalecimento da capacidade de administração do Ministerio para a IS4H. Isso resultou em uma colaboração bilateral entre a OPAS e o Ministério, liderada pelo país, para conduzir duas avaliações dos Sistemas Nacionais de Informação para a Saúde das Ilhas Virgens Britânicas: 1) uma avaliação rápida para mapear a política do Sistemas Nacionais de Informação para a Saúde, e desenvolver uma estratégia de curto e médio prazo e um plano de trabalho para fortalecê-los e atualizá-los; e 2) uma avaliação de maturidade, utilizando a ferramenta Modelo de Maturidade IS4H da OPAS, para avaliar a implementação da política do Sistemas Nacionais de Informação para a Saúde até o momento e determinar os próximos passos. Este artigo descreve 1) os passos dados nessa colaboração bilateral para atualizar a política de Sistemas Nacionais de Informação para a Saúde das Ilhas Virgens Britânicas e ajustar sua visão de IS4H, incluindo o desenvolvimento de um plano nacional/roteiro, e 2) as lições aprendidas neste processo.

Anuario 2017 / Yearbook 2017

El Sistema de Salud del G.C.A.B.A, fomenta las investigaciones en Salud a través de diversos dispositivos, como la Carrera de Investigador, el sistema de Becas de Investigación, la Residencia de Investigación en Salud, los Comités de Docencia e Investigación, los Comités de Ética en Investigación, el Comité Central de Ética y el Consejo de investigación en Salud, dentro del ámbito de la Dirección General de Docencia, Investigación y Desarrollo Profesional (DGDIYDP). La investigación que se desarrolla en el ámbito del Sistema de Salud del G.C.A.B.A., representa un componente importante dentro de la totalidad de la investigación en salud de nuestro país, y a diferencia de otros sistemas que priorizan la investigación básica o la investigación farmacológica, comprende a la Salud en sus dimensiones biológicas, psíquicas, sociales, culturales y sanitarias, y como un recurso para la vida, un bien a construir y un derecho a proteger. Este anuario brinda una reseña sobre la Investigación en Salud en la CABA, muestra la estructura del área e intenta difundir las publicaciones de los investigadores de Carrera, los trabajos de los Residentes de Investigación en Salud y de los Becarios de Investigación en el período. (AU)

Ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations after implementation of the master plan in Minas Gerais / Internações sensíveis à atenção primária após implantação do Plano Diretor em Minas Gerais

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the rate of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations in groups of cities according to population size and to analyze its association with the coverage of the Family Health Strategy after the implementation of the Master Plan for Primary Health Care in Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS This is an ecological study with 452 cities grouped according to population size, with data from 2004 to 2007 and 2010 to 2013. We used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to verify the distribution of the data in the groups. We used the Wilcoxon test for paired data or the paired Student's t-test to compare the rate of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations before and after the Master Plan for Primary Health Care. We used the simple linear regression test to analyze the association between variables. We performed statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS The rate of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations decreased significantly after the Master Plan for Primary Health Care in the large and mid-sized groups (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between coverage with Family Health Strategy and the rate of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations in the mid-sized and large groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Actions were carried out to implement the Master Plan for Primary Health Care. However, more investments are needed to improve the effectiveness of the Primary Health Care, with permanent confrontation of complex issues that affect the quality of services, which can lead to a significant reduction of the rates of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Descrever a taxa de internação por condição sensível à atenção primária à saúde em grupos de municípios conforme o porte populacional e analisar sua associação com a cobertura pela Estratégia Saúde da Família após a implantação do Plano Diretor da Atenção Primária à Saúde em Minas Gerais. MÉTODOS Estudo ecológico com agrupamento de 452 municípios segundo o porte populacional, comparando dados de 2004 a 2007 e 2010 a 2013. O teste de Kolmogorov Smirnov foi utilizado para verificar a distribuição dos dados nos grupos. O teste de Wilcoxon para dados pareados ou teste t Student pareado foi usado para comparação da taxa de internação por condição sensível à atenção primária à saúde antes e após o Plano Diretor da Atenção Primária à Saúde. O teste de regressão linear simples foi utilizado para analisar a associação entre as variáveis. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas pelo Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS A taxa de internação por condição sensível à atenção primária à saúde diminuiu significativamente após o Plano Diretor da Atenção Primária à Saúde no grupo com grande e médio porte populacional (p < 0,05). Houve correlações positivas entre a cobertura com Estratégia Saúde da Família e a taxa de internação por condição sensível à atenção primária à saúde nos grupos com porte populacional médio e grande (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES Foram empreendidos esforços com a implantação do Plano Diretor da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Entretanto, é preciso que mais investimentos sejam realizados para contribuir para a melhoria da efetividade da Atenção Primária à Saúde, com enfrentamento permanente de questões complexas que incidem sobre a qualidade dos serviços, gerando redução significativa das taxas de internação por condição sensível à atenção primária à saúde.

Psychosocial and behavioural interventions towards HIV risk reduction for serodiscordant couples in Africa: a systematic review

Background: Sexual transmission of HIV frequently occurs in the context of a primary relationship between two partners; however, HIV prevention interventions generally focus on individuals at risk, rather than specifying couples as a unit of change and analysis, neglecting the crucial role that partners may play in sexual behaviour. This article reviews published scientific literature addressing couple-oriented HIV counselling and testing and other behavioural interventions using an online search for peer-reviewed papers. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate what has been published on psychosocial interventions in HIV serodiscordant couples in Africa. Electronic databases were searched from January 1990 to December 2015. Quality assessment of included studies was conducted using the Systematic Appraisal of Quality in Observational Research tool. Results: The electronic database searches initially retrieved 493 records; after cross-referencing, removing duplicates and applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, only eight papers were included in this review. All the studies under review showed that couples-focused counselling and educational programmes were associated with positive outcomes including reduced HIV transmission, reduced unprotected sex, increased rates of status disclosure and high levels of treatment adherence. Conclusions: The literature on interventions for HIV serodiscordant couples is sparse. However, most interventions indicate that couples-focused interventions are effective in HIV risk reduction. In spite of the limited available data and repeated recommendations by different health authorities, couple-centred approaches to HIV prevention have not been implemented on a large scale

A Atenção Primária Coordenando as Redes de Atenção à Saúde: a realidade dos grandes municípios / Primary Care Coordination of Health Care Networks: the reality of large municipalities / La Atención Primaria Coordinando las Redes de Atención a la Salud: la realidad de las grandes ciudades

Esta resenha sublinha a relevância de empreendimentos acadêmicos que visam avaliar a estruturação do sistema de saúde brasileiro e seus desafios, como é o caso do livro "Atenção primária à saúde na coordenação do cuidado em regiões de saúde", publicado em 2015 pela EDUFBA.

This book review emphasizes the importance of academic endeavors aimed at evaluating the structure of the Brazilian health system and its challenges, as in the book "Atenção primária à saúde na coordenação do cuidado em regiões de saúde", published in 2015 by EDUFBA.

Esta reseña destaca la relevancia de emprendimientos académicos que buscan evaluar la estructuración del sistema de salud brasileño y sus desafíos, como es el caso del libro "Atenção primária à saúde na coordenação do cuidado em regiões de saúde", publicado en 2015 por la EDUFBA