Desigualdades relacionadas con el ODS 3 en la salud de las mujeres, los niños y los adolescentes: línea de base para el monitoreo de los ODS en América Latina y el Caribe por medio de encuestas transversales nacionales / SDG3-related inequalities in women's, children's and adolescents' health: an SDG monitoring baseline for Latin America and the Caribbean using national cross-sectional surveys / Desigualdades relacionadas ao ODS 3 na saúde da mulher, da criança e do adolescente: linha de base para o monitoramento do ODS na América Latina e no Caribe por meio de pesquisas transversais nacionais

RESUMEN Objetivos. Los países de América Latina y el Caribe han realizado importantes avances hacia la consecución de las metas del Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible relacionado con la salud (ODS 3) a escala nacional. Sin embargo, persisten enormes desigualdades en salud en los países. Se presenta una línea de base de las desigualdades en salud en la región, contra la cual se puede monitorear el progreso hacia los ODS. Contexto. Se estudiaron 21 países de América Latina y el Caribe usando datos de encuestas de demografía y salud y encuestas de indicadores múltiples por conglomerados realizadas del 2011 al 2016. Participantes. En las encuestas se recopilan datos representativos a nivel nacional de mujeres y niños por medio del muestreo polietápico. En total, 288 207 mujeres y 195 092 niños participaron en las encuestas en los 21 países. Medición de los resultados. Se estudiaron cinco indicadores de intervenciones de salud relacionadas con la salud reproductiva y materna, la fecundidad de las adolescentes y las tasas de mortalidad neonatal y de menores de 5 años. Después se evaluaron las desigualdades en estos indicadores por medio de mediciones absolutas y relativas. Resultados. En la mayoría de los países se observaron gradientes geográficos en salud a escala subnacional en casi todos los indicadores correspondientes a las mujeres y la población infantil y adolescente. La cobertura de las principales intervenciones fue mayor en las zonas urbanas y los quintiles más ricos que en las zonas rurales y los quintiles más pobres. Los análisis por edad de la mujer mostraron que la cobertura de las adolescentes era menor que la cobertura de las mujeres adultas en lo que se refiere a los indicadores de planificación familiar. En la mayoría de los países se observaron también desigualdades en la mortalidad que favorecían a las zonas urbanas y a los ricos. Conclusiones. Los promedios regionales ocultan importantes desigualdades en salud entre los países, pero las estimaciones nacionales ocultan desigualdades incluso mayores entre subgrupos de mujeres, niños y adolescentes. Para alcanzar las metas del ODS 3 y no dejar a nadie atrás es esencial subsanar no solo las brechas de la desigualdad en salud entre los países sino también dentro de ellos.

ABSTRACT Objectives. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries have made important progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets related to health (SDG3) at the national level. However, vast within-country health inequalities remain. We present a baseline of health inequalities in the region, against which progress towards the SDGs can be monitored. Setting. We studied 21 countries in LAC using data from Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey carried out from 2011 to 2016. Participants. The surveys collect nationally representative data on women and children using multistage sampling. In total, 288 207 women and 195 092 children made part of the surveys in the 21 countries. Outcome measures. Five health intervention indicators were studied, related to reproductive and maternal health, along with adolescent fertility and neonatal and under-five mortality rates. Inequalities in these indicators were assessed through absolute and relative measures. Results. In most countries, subnational geographical health gradients were observed for nearly all women, child, and adolescent (WCA) indicators. Coverage of key interventions was higher in urban areas and among the richest, compared with rural areas and poorer quintiles. Analyses by woman's age showed that coverage was lower in adolescent girls than older women for family planning indicators. Pro-urban and pro-rich inequalities were also seen for mortality in most countries. Conclusions. Regional averages hide important health inequalities between countries, but national estimates hide still greater inequalities between subgroups of women, children and adolescents. To achieve the SDG3 targets and leave no one behind, it is essential to close health inequality gaps within as well as between countries.

RESUMO Objetivos. Os países da América Latina e do Caribe obtiveram avanços significativos rumo à consecução do Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável relacionado à saúde (ODS 3) no nível nacional. No entanto, enormes desigualdades em saúde persistem nos países. Apresenta-se uma linha de base das desigualdades em saúde na região, com referência à qual é possível monitorar o progresso rumo aos ODS. Contexto. Foram estudados 21 países da América Latina e do Caribe usando dados de pesquisas de demografia e saúde e pesquisas de grupos de indicadores múltiplos feitas de 2011 a 2016. Participantes. As pesquisas coletam dados nacionalmente representativos sobre mulheres e crianças, por meio de amostragem multietápica. No total, 288.207 mulheres e 195.092 crianças participaram das pesquisas nos 21 países. Medição dos resultados. Foram estudados cinco indicadores de intervenções de saúde relacionadas à saúde reprodutiva e materna, à fertilidade das adolescentes e às taxas de mortalidade neonatal e de menores de cinco anos. As desigualdades nesses indicadores foram então avaliadas, empregando medidas absolutas e relativas. Resultados. Gradientes geográficos de saúde nos níveis subnacionais foram observados na maioria dos países para quase todos os indicadores referentes às mulheres e à população infantil e adolescente. A cobertura das principais intervenções foi maior nas áreas urbanas e nos quintis mais ricos do que nas áreas rurais e nos quintis mais pobres. As análises por idade das mulheres mostraram que a cobertura das adolescentes era inferior à cobertura das mulheres adultas no que se refere aos indicadores de planejamento familiar. Além disso, foram observadas desigualdades na mortalidade que favoreciam as áreas urbanas e os ricos, na maioria dos países. Conclusões. As médias regionais mascaram desigualdades significativas na saúde entre os países, mas as estimativas nacionais mascaram desigualdades ainda maiores entre os subgrupos de mulheres, crianças e adolescentes. Para alcançar as metas do ODS 3 e não deixar ninguém para trás, é essencial abordar não apenas as lacunas da desigualdade em saúde entre os países, mas também dentro deles.

Vacinação para influenza em idosos na pandemia COVID-19: estudo de base populacional em 133 cidades brasileiras / Influenza vaccination in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in 133 Brazilian cities

Resumo Imunizações de rotina durante pandemias podem ser prejudicadas. Este estudo estimou a cobertura vacinal para influenza em idosos durante a COVID-19 através do EPICOVID-19, inquérito populacional realizado em 133 cidades sentinelas dos 26 estados brasileiros e Distrito Federal. Selecionou-se 25 setores censitários por cidade, amostragem proporcional ao tamanho, dez domicílios por setor e uma pessoa por domicílio, aleatoriamente. O quantitativo de 8.265 idosos (≥ 60 anos) foram entrevistados e responderam se haviam sido vacinados contra gripe em 2020. A cobertura foi 82,3% (IC95% 80,1; 84,2), sem diferenças por sexo, idade ou região. Maiores coberturas ocorreram nos mais ricos (84,7% versus 80,1% nos mais pobres) e nos mais escolarizados (87,3% versus 83,2% nos menos escolarizados). Menor cobertura nos indígenas (56,9% versus coberturas superiores a 80% nos demais grupos étnicos). Houve associação positiva com número de comorbidades entre homens, mas não entre mulheres. A maioria vacinou-se na rede pública (97,5%), sendo a rede privada mais utilizada na região Sul, pelos mais escolarizados e mais ricos. Conclui-se que a cobertura vacinal ficou sete pontos percentuais abaixo da meta governamental (90%), e que desigualdades devem ser revertidas em futuras campanhas.

Abstract Routine immunization during pandemics can be harmed. This study estimated the influenza vaccination coverage in older adults during the COVID-19 through the EPICOVID-19, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities from the 26 Brazilian states and Federal District. We selected 25 census tracts per city, with probability proportional to the tract's size, ten households by census tract, and one random individual interviewed. A total of 8,265 older adults (≥60 years old) were interviewed and asked whether they had been vaccinated against flu in 2020. Vaccination coverage was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.1-84.2) with no difference by gender, age, and region; higher vaccination coverage was observed among the wealthiest (84.7% versus 80.1% in the poorest) and among the more educated (87.3% versus 83.2% less educated); lower coverage among indigenous (56.9% versus > 80% among other ethnic groups). A positive association was identified with the number of comorbidities among men but not among women. Most of the population was vaccinated (97.5%) in the public health system. The private network was chosen mainly in the South by the wealthiest and more educated. Vaccination coverage was seven percentage points lower than the government target (90%), and inequalities should be reversed in future campaigns.

Time-dependent decay of detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2: A comparison of ELISA with two batches of a lateral-flow test

ABSTRACT Background: Large-scale epidemiological studies of seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 often rely on point-of-care tests that provide immediate results to participants. Yet, little is known on how long rapid tests remain positive after the COVID-19 episode, or how much variability exists across different brands and even among batches of the same test. Methods: In November 2020, we assessed the sensitivity of three tests applied to 133 individuals with a previous positive PCR result between April and October. All subjects provided finger prick blood samples for two batches (A and B) of the Wondfo lateral-flow IgG/IgM test, and dried blood spot samples for the S-UFRJ ELISA test. Results: Overall sensitivity levels were 92.5% (95% CI 86.6-96.3), 63.2% (95% CI 54.4-71.4) and 33.8% (95% CI 25.9-42.5) for the S-UFRJ test, Wondfo A and Wondfo B tests, respectively. There was no evidence of a decline in the positivity of S-UFRJ with time since the diagnosis, but the two Wondfo batches showed sharp reductions to as low as 41.9% and 19.4%, respectively, for subjects with a positive PCR in June or earlier. Positive results for batch B of the rapid test were 35% to 54% lower than for batch A at any given month of diagnosis. Interpretation: Whereas the ELISA test showed high sensitivity and stability of results over the five months of the study, both batches of the rapid test showed substantial declines, with one of the batches consistently showing lower sensitivity levels than the other. ELISA tests based on dried-blood spots are an inexpensive alternative to rapid lateral-flow tests in large-scale epidemiological studies.

Population-level seropositivity trend for SARS-Cov-2 in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the evolution of seropositivity in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, through 10 consecutive surveys conducted between April 2020 and April 2021. METHODS Nine cities covering all regions of the State were studied, 500 households in each city. One resident in each household was randomly selected for testing. In survey rounds 1-8 we used the rapid WONDFO SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test (Wondfo Biotech Co., Guangzhou, China). In rounds 9-10, we used a direct ELISA test that identifies IgG to the viral S protein (S-UFRJ). In terms of social distancing, individuals were asked three questions, from which we generated an exposure score using principal components analysis. RESULTS Antibody prevalence in early April 2020 was 0.07%, increasing to 10.0% in February 2021, and to 18.2% in April 2021. In round 10, self-reported whites showed the lowest seroprevalence (17.3%), while indigenous individuals presented the highest (44.4%). Seropositivity increased by 40% when comparing the most with the least exposed. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of the population already infected by SARS-Cov-2 in the state is still far from any perspective of herd immunity and the infection affects population groups in very different levels.

COVID-19 and social distancing among children and adolescents in Brazil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the adherence to measures of social distancing in children and adolescents studied in three national surveys conducted in Brazil between May-June 2020. METHODS Three national serological surveys were conducted in 133 sentinel cities located in all 27 Federative Units. Multistage probability sampling was used to select 250 individuals per city. The total sample size in age ranges 0-9 and 10-19 years old are of 4,263 and 8,024 individuals, respectively. Information on children or adolescents was gathered with a data collection app, and a rapid point-of-case test for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted on a finger prick blood sample. RESULTS The adjusted prevalence of antibodies was 2.9% (2.2-3.6) among children 0-9 years, 2.2% (1.8-2.6) among adolescents 10-19 years, and 3.0% (2.7-3.3) among adults 20+years. Prevalence of antibodies was higher among poor children and adolescents compared to those of rich families. Adherence to social distancing measures was seen in 72.4% (71.9-73.8) of families with children, 60.8% (59.6-61.9) for adolescents, and 57.4% (56.9-57.8) for adults. For not leaving the house except for essential matters the proportions were 81.7% (80.5-82.9), 70.6% (69.6-61.9), and 65.1% (64.7-65.5), respectively. Among children and adolescents, social distancing was strongly associated with socioeconomic status, being much higher in the better-off families. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 showed comparable levels among children, adolescents, and adults. Adherence to social distancing measures was more prevalent in children, followed by adolescents. There were important socioeconomic differences in the adherence to social distancing among children and adolescents.