Self-testing for SARS-CoV-2 in São Paulo, Brazil: results of a population-based values and attitudes survey.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is among the countries in South America where the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the general population hardest. Self-testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection is one of the community-based strategies that could help asymptomatic individuals at-risk of COVID-19, as well as those living in areas that are difficult for health personnel to reach, to know their infectious status and contribute to impeding further transmission of the virus. METHODS: A population-based survey was conducted in November 2021, to assess the acceptability of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing among the population of São Paulo. Survey respondents were approached at more than 400 different street-points that were randomly selected using a five-stage randomization process. A 35-item structured questionnaire was used. Dependent variables for our analyses were the likelihood to use and willingness to pay for self-testing, and the likelihood of taking preventive measures to prevent onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 following a reactive self-test result. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 417 respondents (44.12% female) participated; 19.66% had previously had COVID-19 disease. A minority (9.59%) felt at high-risk of COVID-19. The majority of both females and males (73.91% and 60.09%, respectively) were in favor of the idea of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. Overall, if self-tests were available, almost half of the sample would be very likely (n = 54, 12.95%) or likely (n = 151, 36.21%) to use one if they felt they needed to. Upon receiving a positive self-test result, the majority of respondents would communicate it (88.49%), request facility-based post-test counseling (98.32%), self-isolate (97.60%), and warn their close contacts (96.64%). CONCLUSION: Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing could be an acceptable screening tool in São Paulo. The population would be empowered by having access to a technology that would allow them to test, even if asymptomatic, when traveling, or going to work or school. If there is a surge in the incidence of cases, self-testing could be a good approach for mass case detection by Brazil's already overstretched Unified Health System.

Understanding organ donation processes and structures in ontario: A social network analysis approach.

BACKGROUND: Transplant rates in Ontario rose steeply in the decade prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reasons for that increase remain unclear, but the inter-organizational arrangement of organ donation programs may have contributed. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating these inter-organizational arrangements, with a limited understanding of how communication facilitates organ donation. Understanding these arrangements may help to re-establish rising organ donation rates post-pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To describe interprofessional interactions of Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinators (OTDCs) during organ donation cases, within organ donation programs in Ontario, from an organizational perspective (describing structure, context, process). METHODS: Mixed-method social network analysis (SNA) approach analyzing 14 organ donation cases just before the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Structure: Social network graphs depict the joint work performed by hospital staff and OTDCs, with a great part of the communication being processed through the OTDC. CONTEXT: Network density ranged from 0.05 to 0.24 across cases, and health care professionals perceived an atmosphere of shared vision and trust among team members. PROCESS: Most networks had a degree centralization <0.50 suggesting a decentralized information flow, and participants perceived decisions being jointly made. The characteristic path length of cases ranged from 1.6 to 3.2, suggesting potential for rapid information diffusion. Overall, data reinforced the OTDC role of intermediator within the communication process, and hospital staff perceived OTDCs as central players. Hospital staff and OTDCs reported frustration with some aspects of the flow of information during the organ allocation processes. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study provide a network map of communications within organ donation cases and reinforce the importance of the OTDC role. Opportunities for quality improvement within these processes are identified.

Care actions in obtaining tissues and organs during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods study.

OBJECTIVE: to map health care actions in the organ and tissue donation process in Brazilian regions during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: a mixed methods study. Data collection was performed simultaneously through an online questionnaire with 72 nurses. Descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis. RESULTS: a total of 34.7% of professionals work in the state of São Paulo. The largest number of responses was from the Southeast region. Four categories emerged. The first addresses triage care actions; the second involves guidelines for SARS-CoV-2 prevention in potential donors; the third relates to the epidemiological screening of professionals; the fourth presents the scenario of donation training in pandemic times. CONCLUSION: care actions are aimed at tracking the path taken until arrival at the hospital, assessing temperature and saturation curves, in addition to screening for signs and symptoms for SARS-CoV-2 contamination among professionals.

Coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing school

As in other countries around the world, Brazil had suspended nursing students hospital care training practices and extension activities. After this decision, a number of actions were shared in relation to students' education and activities that would be conducted to avoid the academic curricula to be compromised. At national level in education, a number of activities have been planned to keep students connected with colleges and university, even distant, as well as actions to rethink the curriculum of courses to guarantee the knowledge and social commitment needed for the education of qualified professionals for the Brazilian Public Hand ealth System. Here, Schirmer and Balsanelli discuss how nursing schools coped the COVID-19 pandemic.