"La covid no ha podido con nosotrxs": impacto de la pandemia en el acceso efectivo de personas trans a tratamientos hormonales integrales en Córdoba, Argentina / "Covid couldn't get us down": pandemic impact on effective access to transgender hormone therapy in Cordoba, Argentina

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo fue indagar el impacto de la pandemia de la covid-19 en el acceso de personas trans a tratamientos hormonales en los servicios de salud pública de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. En los meses de junio/julio de 2020, se realizaron 16 entrevistas telefónicas a personas trans en proceso de hormonización y usuarias de servicios públicos de salud, a profesionales sanitarios de dispositivos específicos de atención a personas trans, integrantes de organizaciones sociales y de gestión. Se aplicó un análisis temático que identificó tres temas y subtemas: 1) Estar a la deriva en relación al tratamiento hormonal: Reestructuración de servicios de salud; Sentimientos de incertidumbre; 2) Lo necesito, el cuerpo lo pide: suministro de hormonas: Significados en torno al tratamiento; Estrategias y resistencias; 3) Oportunidad de visibilizar fallas estructurales: las hormonas como la punta del iceberg: Déficit en las políticas públicas: en pandemia desde hace muchos años; Exclusiones del CIStema de salud. Se concluyó que la pandemia acarreó un grave retroceso para los derechos de las personas trans. Sin embargo, se identificaron estrategias claves de acceso, vinculadas principalmente a las organizaciones y activistas trans y travestis.

Abstract The purpose of this research was to study the impact of covid-19 pandemic on transgender people's access to healthcare and hormone gender-affirming treatments in public healthcare services of the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Between June/July-2020, sixteen telephone interviews were conducted with people in gender-affirming hormone treatments in public healthcare services, professionals, members of social organizations and management. A thematic analysis was carried out, identifiying three themes and sub-themes: 1) Being adrift in relation to hormonal treatment: Restructuring of healthcare services; Feelings of uncertainty. 2) I need it, the body asks for it: supply of hormones: Meanings around treatment; Strategies and resistance. 3) Opportunity to make visible structural failures: hormones as the tip of the iceberg: Deficit in public policies: in a pandemic for many years; Exclusions from the CISHealthcare System. We conclude that the pandemic implied a serious setback for transgender people's rights. However, strategies were identified, mainly linked to transgender organizations and activists, which were key to access.

COVID-19 impacts on healthcare access in sub-Saharan Africa: an overview

Abstract This overview aimed to describe the situation of healthcare access in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A PubMed® search from March 31, 2020, to August 15, 2022, selected 116 articles. Healthcare access and consequences of COVID-19 were assessed based on comparisons with months before its onset or an identical season in previous years. A general reduction of healthcare delivery, associated with the decline of care quality, and closure of many specialty services were reported. The impact was heterogeneous in space and time, with an increase in urban areas at the beginning of the pandemic (March-June 2020). The return to normalcy was gradual from the 3rd quarter of 2020 until the end of 2021. The impact of COVID-19 on the health system and its use was attributed to (a) conjunctural factors resulting from government actions to mitigate the spread of the epidemic (containment, transportation restrictions, closures of businesses, and places of entertainment or worship); (b) structural factors related to the disruption of public and private facilities and institutions, in particular, the health system; and (c) individual factors linked to the increase in costs, impoverishment of the population, and fear of contamination or stigmatization, which discouraged patients from going to health centers. They have caused considerable socio-economic damage. Several studies emphasized some adaptability of the healthcare offer and resilience of the healthcare system, despite its unpreparedness, which explained a return to normal activities as early as 2022 while the COVID-19 epidemic persisted. There appears to be a strong disproportion between the moderate incidence and severity of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, and the dramatic impact on healthcare access. Several articles make recommendations for lowering the socioeconomic consequences of future epidemics to ensure better management of health issues.

Difficulties Vietnamese Technical Intern Trainees Face in Obtaining Medical Services in Japan / 国際保健医療

Purpose  The number of Vietnamese technical intern trainees is increasing annually due to the revision of the Immigration Control Law in Japan. However, there are few studies focusing on the trainees’ health issues and medical consultations. This study aims to clarify the difficulties they face in obtaining healthcare services after coming to Japan.Method  Semi-structured interviews regarding the difficulties faced by trainees in accessing medical services were conducted. Twelve Vietnamese technical intern trainees (eight men [66.6%] and four women [33.4%] with an average age of 26.3 years and average stay period of 2 years and 3 months) living in the Kansai area were interviewed. Data analysis was conducted using a qualitative descriptive method.Results and Discussion  Four categories of difficulties in receiving medical treatment were found: “no hospital visits unless the situation worsens,” “inability to receive medical services without the support of company or supervising organization officials,” “inability to seek confirmation even if they have questions or are dissatisfied,” and “hesitation for seeking medical help due to work and scheduling.”   For Vietnamese technical intern trainees, the company or supervising organization officials’ support played an important role in accessing medical services. Moreover, even if the trainees had doubts or dissatisfactions, they were unable to ask questions and receive confirmation. Therefore, it is necessary not only to actively explain the need for medical services to the company or supervising organization officials but also to ask the trainees if they have any doubts.Conclusion  The company and supervising organization official’s support played an important role at accessing medical service. It will be essential to cooperate not only with them but also with the occupational health field and regional medical institutions.

Acesso de mulheres lésbicas aos serviços de saúde à luz da literatura / Access to health services for lesbian women: a literature review

Resumo O trabalho tem como objetivo explorar como se afiguram as especificidades do acesso de lésbicas aos serviços de saúde à luz da literatura. Como metodologia, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica e, em seguida, com base nos achados do acervo analisado, produziu-se uma síntese interpretativa ancorada em aspectos teóricos de Pierre Bourdieu. Em relação aos resultados, destacam-se duas temáticas com seus respectivos núcleos de sentidos: (a) barreiras e dificuldades do acesso de lésbicas à atenção à saúde (questões relacionadas à revelação de ser lésbica e dificuldades de os serviços e profissionais de saúde lidarem com essas mulheres) e (b) experiências das lésbicas nos serviços de saúde (atendimento desigual, invisibilidade e constrangimento). No que se refere a conclusões, dentre outros aspectos, observa-se que, apesar dos avanços em relação a políticas e protocolos de atendimento a população em questão, as diversidades sexual e de gênero devem ser amplamente debatidas nos espaços sociais, de formação e de atenção à saúde.

Abstract This study explores access to health services for lesbians in the light of current literature. A literature search was conducted using various databases and an interpretive synthesis of the findings of the selected articles was produced anchored in the concepts of habitus and symbolic violence developed by Pierre Bourdieu. Two main themes and their respective units of meaning were identified: (a) barriers and difficulties experienced by lesbians in accessing healthcare (issues related to coming out as a lesbian and difficulties experienced by health services and professionals in dealing with lesbian women); and (b) lesbian women's experiences in health services (unequal care, invisibility, and feeling uncomfortable). We conclude that, despite advances in policy and care protocols, sexual and gender diversity needs to be widely discussed in social, educational, and health settings.

Impacto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en adolescentes que viven con el VIH en Lima, Perú / Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on adolescents living with HIV in Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Los adolescentes que viven con el VIH (AVVIH) tienen tasas más bajas de supresión virológica y tasas más altas de deterioro inmunológico en comparación con sus contrapartes mayores, colocándolos potencialmente en alto riesgo de enfermedad severa por SARS-CoV-2. Los AVVIH que están transicionando hacia el cuidado de adultos enfrentan dificultades adicionales para permanecer en el cuidado y adherirse al tratamiento antirretroviral. En esta sección especial reportamos el impacto observado en AVVIH transicionando al servicio de VIH para adultos durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2. En primer lugar, el acceso a la atención del VIH se ha visto perjudicado por la restricción del transporte público, la falta de antirretrovirales, y la suspensión de citas médicas y laboratoriales. Adicionalmente, dificultades financieras, incertidumbre sobre el futuro, estresores emocionales, alteración del estilo de vida y el temor de divulgar el diagnóstico involuntariamente han desafiado aún más la continuidad en la atención de esta población adolescente.

ABSTRACT Adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) have lower rates of virologic suppression and higher rates of immunologic decline compared to their older counterparts, potentially placing them at high-risk for developing severe SARS-CoV-2 disease. ALWH who are transitioning to adult care face additional challenges to remaining in care and adhering to treatment. In this special section we report the experiences of ALWH in the process of transitioning to adult HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In first place, the government-mandated stay-at-home order has substantially limited access to full HIV care by restricting public transportation, HIV medication stock-outs, and the suspension of routine medical and laboratory appointments. In addition, financial hardship, uncertainty about their future plans, emotional stressors, lifestyle disruptions, and concerns of involuntary disclosure have further challenged continuity in care for this adolescent population.

Impacto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en adolescentes que viven con el VIH en Lima, Perú / Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on adolescents living with HIV in Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Los adolescentes que viven con el VIH (AVVIH) tienen tasas más bajas de supresión virológica y tasas más altas de deterioro inmunológico en comparación con sus contrapartes mayores, colocándolos potencialmente en alto riesgo de enfermedad severa por SARS-CoV-2. Los AVVIH que están transicionando hacia el cuidado de adultos enfrentan dificultades adicionales para permanecer en el cuidado y adherirse al tratamiento antirretroviral. En esta sección especial reportamos el impacto observado en AVVIH transicionando al servicio de VIH para adultos durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2. En primer lugar, el acceso a la atención del VIH se ha visto perjudicado por la restricción del transporte público, la falta de antirretrovirales, y la suspensión de citas médicas y laboratoriales. Adicionalmente, dificultades financieras, incertidumbre sobre el futuro, estresores emocionales, alteración del estilo de vida y el temor de divulgar el diagnóstico involuntariamente han desafiado aún más la continuidad en la atención de esta población adolescente.

ABSTRACT Adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) have lower rates of virologic suppression and higher rates of immunologic decline compared to their older counterparts, potentially placing them at high-risk for developing severe SARS-CoV-2 disease. ALWH who are transitioning to adult care face additional challenges to remaining in care and adhering to treatment. In this special section we report the experiences of ALWH in the process of transitioning to adult HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In first place, the government-mandated stay-at-home order has substantially limited access to full HIV care by restricting public transportation, HIV medication stock-outs, and the suspension of routine medical and laboratory appointments. In addition, financial hardship, uncertainty about their future plans, emotional stressors, lifestyle disruptions, and concerns of involuntary disclosure have further challenged continuity in care for this adolescent population.

Organização da Atenção Primária à Saúde em um município rural remoto do norte do Brasil / Organization of Primary Health Care in a remote rural municipality in northern Brazil

RESUMO O objetivo do artigo foi caracterizar a organização da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) e suas interfaces com os demais serviços da rede assistencial em um Município Rural Remoto (MRR). Foi realizado estudo de caso único em Assis Brasil (AC), por meio de entrevistas com usuários, gestores e profissionais de saúde. Os resultados indicaram distribuição desigual de estabelecimentos de saúde com áreas descobertas; dificuldades de acesso por condições climáticas; barreiras econômicas para custeio de transporte; promoção de ações itinerantes na zona rural; descontinuidade e insuficiência de medicamentos; dificuldades para a fixação de profissionais; escassez de recursos tecnológicos; falta de acesso à internet; necessidade de adaptação cultural; concentração de serviços especializados do SUS na capital. Foram identificados esforços da gestão local para manutenção da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) e adequação dos processos de trabalho para atendimento ao grande fluxo de demanda espontânea, estrangeiros e população indígena. Argumenta-se que o MRR e suas populações somam vulnerabilidades econômicas, sociais e de acesso aos serviços de saúde, parcialmente atendidas pelas políticas nacionais, e que o ente municipal, sem o suficiente apoio e aporte de recursos estadual e federal, mantém arranjos possíveis para a provisão de APS, nem sempre afeitos aos princípios abrangentes da ESF.

ABSTRACT The aim of the article was to characterize the organization of Primary Health Care (APS) and its interfaces with other services in the healthcare network in a Remote Rural Municipality (MRR). A single case study was carried out in Assis Brasil (AC), through interviews with users, managers and health professionals. The results indicated an unequal distribution of health facilities with uncovered areas; access difficulties due to weather conditions; economic barriers to costing transport; promotion of itinerant actions in rural areas; discontinuity and insufficiency of medications; difficulties in retaining professionals; scarcity of technological resources; lack of internet access; need for cultural adaptation; concentration of specialized services of the Unified Health System (SUS) in the capital. Local management efforts were identified to maintain the Family Health Strategy (ESF) and the adequacy of work processes to meet the large flow of spontaneous demand, foreigners and the indigenous population. It is argued that the MRR and its populations add economic, social and access to health services vulnerabilities, partially covered by national policies, and that the municipal entity, without sufficient support and allocation of state and federal resources, maintains possible arrangements for the provision of APS, not always bound by the comprehensive principles of the ESF.

Emergency Medical Care of Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Primary Data from the Mount Sinai Resource Utilization in Multiple Sclerosis Project

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There has been no systematic analysis of emergency department (ED) utilization in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population. We investigated the acute-care needs of MS patients using ED as a route for entry into healthcare services. METHODS: ED visits made by MS patients were identified. Data extracted included demographics, medical/neurological history, and workup/management in the ED. RESULTS: The Mount Sinai ED received 569 visits from 224 MS patients during a 3-year period, of whom 33.5% were covered by Medicaid and 12.9% were uninsured. Patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of > or =6 accounted for 54%, 50.5% of relapsing remitting MS patients were being treated with disease-modifying therapies, and 74.5% of the ED visits were non-neurological. Patients with mild-to-moderate MS were more likely to present to the ED for issues directly related to MS such as acute exacerbations, while those with severe MS presented more often due to medical issues indirectly related to MS, such as urinary tract infections (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Most MS patients seeking ED care suffer from acute non-neurological problems. The MS patients presenting to the ED tended to be underinsured, had high levels of disability, and were undertreated with disease-modifying therapies. The acute-care needs of MS patients evolve over the disease course, as do the resources that must be utilized in providing emergency care across the spectrum of MS severity. Understanding the characteristics, problems, and needs of MS patients utilizing the ED is an important step in improving care in this population from both clinical and public health perspectives.

Rationalizing antibiotic use to limit antibiotic resistance in India.

Antibiotic resistance, a global concern, is particularly pressing in developing nations, including India, where the burden of infectious disease is high and healthcare spending is low. The Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP) was established to develop actionable policy recommendations specifically relevant to low- and middle-income countries where suboptimal access to antibiotics - not a major concern in high-income countries - is possibly as severe a problem as is the spread of resistant organisms. This report summarizes the situation as it is known regarding antibiotic use and growing resistance in India and recommends short and long term actions. Recommendations aim at (i) reducing the need for antibiotics; (ii) lowering resistance-enhancing drug pressure through improved antibiotic targeting, and (iii) eliminating antibiotic use for growth promotion in agriculture. The highest priority needs to be given to (i) national surveillance of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use - better information to underpin decisions on standard treatment guidelines, education and other actions, as well as to monitor changes over time; (ii) increasing the use of diagnostic tests, which necessitates behavioural changes and improvements in microbiology laboratory capacity; (iii) setting up and/or strengthening infection control committees in hospitals; and (iv) restricting the use of antibiotics for non-therapeutic uses in agriculture. These interventions should help to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance, improve public health directly, benefit the populace and reduce pressure on the healthcare system. Finally, increasing the types and coverage of childhood vaccines offered by the government would reduce the disease burden enormously and spare antibiotics.