Use of Telehealth Resources in Primary Care and Its Association with Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Introduction: Use of telehealth (TH) resources increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study set out to examine associations between the level of integration of TH resources and the level of Primary Health Care (PHC) structuring to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: This work was a cross-sectional study conducted through the application of a semistructured questionnaire to a sample of 260 PHC Teams working in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from September to December 2020. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee and logged under report number 44.294.637. Results: Two variables were created - Level of the PHC structuring to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and Level of TH structuring. Variables were grouped into five categories (poor to excellent). Associations between variables were examined using the Tukey's test for multiple comparisons and the Spearman correlation coefficient. Variables associated with socioeconomic dimensions (human development index and Gini index) and health care were also analyzed. Levels of TH structuring in PHC ranged from poor (43%) to regular (40%) in most cases. Most PHC teams had regular (56%) or good (37%) levels of PHC structuring to deal with the pandemic. The greater the availability and use of TH resources at a given unit, the better the structure to face COVID-19 (0.45 - p < 0.001). Conclusion: PHC was structured to tackle the pandemic. However, there is a lot to be done before TH resources are effectively incorporated into PHC. Whenever incorporated, TH resources contributed to a more robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Quality of prehospital fixed components of the Brazilian Emergency and Urgent Care Network: a study based on data from PMAQ-AB and PNASS]. / Qualidade dos componentes pré-hospitalares fixos da Rede de Urgência e Emergência no Brasil: um estudo a partir de dados do PMAQ-AB e PNASS.

The organization and management of integrated health systems is complex and challenging. As a strategy to improve the quality and access to urgent services, the Brazilian Ministry of Health implemented the Emergency and Urgent Care Network (RUE), comprised of care facilities with different technological levels. Assess the quality of prehospital fixed components of the RUE in health macroregions. A cross-sectional study using data from the Brazilian National Health Services Evaluation Program (PNASS) and the Brazilian National Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ-AB) was carried out. A typology was built for the quality of the emergency care units (UPAs) and the first visit by health macroregion, correlating it with socioeconomic variables. A cluster analysis was performed. In total, 280 UPAs, 21,182 basic health units (UBSs), and 27,335 family health teams from 74 health macroregions were evaluated. The general indicator of the quality of the components presented an average of 0.687 (reference score: 1.00). UPA quality (0.61) was positively influenced by the indicators Pharmacy support and Immediate emergency and urgent care, with worse results in Contract management, Planning and organization, and Organizational model. In primary healthcare (PHC) quality (0.78), the dimensions with better evaluations were Articulation with the network, Reception and procedures, unlike Exams and medications. Health macroregions were allocated to three clusters. Cluster 3 obtained a much higher overall average score (0.81) than the others (0.64 and 0.63). A lower quality of PHC was observed in Cluster 1, which showed the highest level of social vulnerability.

A organização e gestão de sistemas de saúde integrados são complexas e desafiadoras. Como estratégia para melhoria da qualidade e do acesso aos serviços de urgência, o Ministério da Saúde adotou a implantação da Rede de Urgência e Emergência (RUE), composta por pontos de atenção de diferentes densidades tecnológicas. O objetivo foi avaliar a qualidade dos componentes pré-hospitalares fixos da RUE em macrorregiões de saúde. Foi realizado estudo transversal utilizando dados do Programa Nacional de Avaliação dos Serviços de Saúde (PNASS) e do Programa de Melhoria da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB). Foi construída uma tipologia da qualidade das unidades de pronto atendimento (UPAs) e do acolhimento, por macrorregião de saúde, correlacionando-as com variáveis socioeconômicas. Foi realizada uma análise de clusters. Foram avaliadas 280 UPAs, 21.182 unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) e 27.335 equipes de saúde da família (EqSF) de 74 macrorregiões de saúde. O indicador geral da qualidade dos componentes apresentou média 0,687 em 1,00. A qualidade da UPA (0,61) foi positivamente influenciada pelos indicadores Assistência farmacêutica e Atenção imediata à urgência e emergência, com piores resultados em Gestão de contratos, Planejamento e organização e Modelo organizacional. Na qualidade da atenção primária à saúde (APS) (0,78), as dimensões mais bem avaliadas foram Articulação com a rede, Acolhimento e procedimentos, ao contrário de Exames e medicamentos. As macrorregiões de saúde foram alocadas em três clusters. O Cluster 3 obteve nota média geral (0,81) bem superior aos demais (0,64 e 0,63). Observou-se qualidade inferior da APS no Cluster 1, aquele com maior vulnerabilidade social.

La organización y la gestión de los sistemas de salud integrados es compleja y desafiante. Como estrategia para mejorar la calidad y el acceso a los servicios de urgencia, el Ministerio de Salud brasileño adoptó la implementación de la Red de Urgencia y Emergencia (RUE), compuesta por puntos de atención de diferentes densidades tecnológicas. Evaluar la calidad de los componentes prehospitalarios fijos de RUE en las macrorregiones de salud. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal utilizando datos del Programa de Evaluación de los Servicios Nacionales de Salud (PNASS) y del Programa Nacional de Mejoría de Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB). Fue construida una tipología de la calidad de las unidades de atención de urgencias (UPAs) y de la recepción por macrorregión de salud, correlacionándolas con variables socioeconómicas. Se realizó un análisis de grupos. Evaluadas 280 UPAs, 21.182 servicios de salud básicos (UBSs) y 27.335 equipos de salud familiares de 74 macrorregiones de salud. El indicador general de la calidad de los componentes promedió mostró una media de 0,687 sobre 1,00. En la calidad de las UPAs (0,61) influyeron positivamente los indicadores Asistencia farmacéutica y Atención inmediata de urgencias y emergencias, con peores resultados en Gestión de contratos, Planificación y organización y Modelo organizativo. En la calidad de la atención primaria en salud (APS) (0,78) las dimensiones mejor evaluadas fueron la Coordinación con la red, la Recepción y los procedimientos, frente a los Exámenes y la medicación. Las macrorregiones de salud se asignaron en tres grupos. El Grupo 3 obtuvo nota media general (0,81) muy superior a los demás (0,64 y 0,63). Se observó una calidad inferior de la APS en el Grupo 1, aquel con mayor vulnerabilidad social.

Contextual and individual factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from Southeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Individual data on adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were collected from the SB Minas survey secondary database. Dental pain over the past 6 months, assessed by a questionnaire, was used as the dependent variable. Sex, income, skin color, prevalence of untreated dental caries, periodontal health, dental treatment needs, and time of last dental appointment were analyzed as individual covariates. Allocation factor, Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient, illiteracy rate, unemployment, 50% and 25% of the Brazilian monthly minimum wage, primary healthcare coverage, oral health team coverage, access to individual healthcare, and supervised toothbrushing average rate were the analyzed contextual variables. A multilevel analysis was conducted for the individual and contextual variables. Statistical analyses used hierarchical linear and nonlinear modeling to infer an association between the different levels. Male adolescents had a lower prevalence of dental pain (OR = 0.53; 95%CI = 0.37-0.75). There was an association between dental pain and low income (OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 1.07-2.33), prevalence of untreated dental caries (OR = 1.25; 95%CI = 1.11-1.40), periodontal health (OR = 1.80; 95%CI = 1.04-3.09), and dental treatment needs (OR = 6.93; 95%CI = 3.96-12.14). Sociodemographic and clinical factors at the individual level were associated with the outcome but not with contextual variables. These findings reinforce the need to address these factors for effective community health actions.

Contextual and individual factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from Southeastern Brazil

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Individual data on adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were collected from the SB Minas survey secondary database. Dental pain over the past 6 months, assessed by a questionnaire, was used as the dependent variable. Sex, income, skin color, prevalence of untreated dental caries, periodontal health, dental treatment needs, and time of last dental appointment were analyzed as individual covariates. Allocation factor, Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient, illiteracy rate, unemployment, 50% and 25% of the Brazilian monthly minimum wage, primary healthcare coverage, oral health team coverage, access to individual healthcare, and supervised toothbrushing average rate were the analyzed contextual variables. A multilevel analysis was conducted for the individual and contextual variables. Statistical analyses used hierarchical linear and nonlinear modeling to infer an association between the different levels. Male adolescents had a lower prevalence of dental pain (OR = 0.53; 95%CI = 0.37-0.75). There was an association between dental pain and low income (OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 1.07-2.33), prevalence of untreated dental caries (OR = 1.25; 95%CI = 1.11-1.40), periodontal health (OR = 1.80; 95%CI = 1.04-3.09), and dental treatment needs (OR = 6.93; 95%CI = 3.96-12.14). Sociodemographic and clinical factors at the individual level were associated with the outcome but not with contextual variables. These findings reinforce the need to address these factors for effective community health actions.

Contribution of community health workers to primary health care performance in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To associate the strength of community health workers interventions with primary health care strategies for women's and children's health, diabetes, and hypertension. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study assessing 29,778 family health teams working in primary health care in Brazil in 2014. The association between community health workers activity levels and primary health care facilities was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: We found higher levels of community health workers activities strongly associated with primary health care practices (OR = 6.88) for those activities targeting hypertension management, followed by children's health (OR = 6.56), and women's health (OR = 6.21). CONCLUSIONS: At a time when Brazil discusses whether community health workers should or should not remain in the same scale-up and skill level as they currently are, our results reinforce the importance of these workers for the care model advocated by the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Factors associated with the performance of primary dental health care in Brazil: A multilevel approach.

This study evaluated the factors associated with the performance of Brazilian Oral Health Teams (OHTs).This is multilevel research that used data from 12,386 Brazilian OHTs in 2012. The OHTs performance was estimated in previous research by using Item Response Theory model, which employed 20 questions about dental procedures in Primary Care. The first level covariates were based on OHTs procedures such as: the record of pregnant woman dental appointment, provision of dentistry home care, dental appointments scheduled choices, and OHTs in charge for more than 5000 individuals. Moreover, the use of guidelines was accessed concerning delivering prostheses in primary care, referring to secondary care, referring to suspected oral cancer, and providing care towards patients with special needs. Variables included in level 2 were GINI and Human Development Index. Multilevel linear regression models were constructed, estimating linear regression coefficients, 95% confidence intervals, and P values.OHTs performance was different among the 3,613 municipalities analyzed (P < .001), with 36.7% of the variation in the performance of the OHTs being attributed to the variability between municipalities. The adjusted model showed that higher performance OHTs reported attention to pregnant women, dentistry home care and use of dental care guidelines (P < .001). There were lower performance scores for those OHTs with more restricted scheduling (P < .05), compared to those that reported scheduling appointments at any day and time. The best OHTs and population ratio led to a better performance score (P = .010). At the municipal level, better socioeconomic status was associated with better performance of the OHTs (P < .001).OHTs with higher performance are associated with oral health services organizations and municipalities' socioeconomic status.

A Survey About Dental Instruments at the Primary Health Care in Brazil.

This study describes the structure of oral health services in primary health care in Brazil and the instruments available for the provision of oral health care and to compare the number of instruments according to organizational characteristics of health services and among the macroregions. Of the 23,251 oral health teams (OHTs) in the Public Health System, 17,513 (75.3%) participated in this study. Trained researchers observed the structures of the health services and determined the presence of and whether a sufficient quantity of 36 dental instruments existed. The score of each oral health service was determined by the sum of the number of dental instruments present in sufficient quantity (0 to 36). Central tendency measures were compared along with the variability in these scores according to the organizational characteristics of the services and according to the Brazilian macroregion. No instrument was found to be present in all evaluated services. Basic, surgical and restorative instruments were the most frequently found. Periodontal, endodontic and prosthetic instruments exhibited the lowest percentages. The mean and median numbers of dental instruments were higher for teams that operated over more shifts, those with an oral health technician and those in the South and Southeast regions. The oral health services were equipped with basic, surgical and restorative instruments. Instruments designed for periodontal diagnosis, emergency care and denture rehabilitation were less frequently found in these services. The worst infrastructure conditions existed in the OHTs with the worst forms of care organization and in regions with greater social issues.

A survey about dental instruments at the primary health care in Brazil

Abstract This study describes the structure of oral health services in primary health care in Brazil and the instruments available for the provision of oral health care and to compare the number of instruments according to organizational characteristics of health services and among the macroregions. Of the 23,251 oral health teams (OHTs) in the Public Health System, 17,513 (75.3%) participated in this study. Trained researchers observed the structures of the health services and determined the presence of and whether a sufficient quantity of 36 dental instruments existed. The score of each oral health service was determined by the sum of the number of dental instruments present in sufficient quantity (0 to 36). Central tendency measures were compared along with the variability in these scores according to the organizational characteristics of the services and according to the Brazilian macroregion. No instrument was found to be present in all evaluated services. Basic, surgical and restorative instruments were the most frequently found. Periodontal, endodontic and prosthetic instruments exhibited the lowest percentages. The mean and median numbers of dental instruments were higher for teams that operated over more shifts, those with an oral health technician and those in the South and Southeast regions. The oral health services were equipped with basic, surgical and restorative instruments. Instruments designed for periodontal diagnosis, emergency care and denture rehabilitation were less frequently found in these services. The worst infrastructure conditions existed in the OHTs with the worst forms of care organization and in regions with greater social issues.

Resumo Este estudo descreve a estrutura dos serviços de saúde bucal na atenção primária em saúde no Brasil e os instrumentos disponíveis para a assistência à saúde bucal e compara o número de instrumentais de acordo com as características organizacionais dos serviços de saúde e entre as macrorregiões. Das 23.251 equipes de saúde bucal (ESB) no Sistema Único de Saúde, 17.513 (75,3%) participaram deste estudo. Pesquisadores treinados observaram a estrutura dos serviços de saúde e determinaram a presença e a existência de uma quantidade suficiente de 36 instrumentais odontológicos. A pontuação de cada serviço de saúde bucal foi determinada pela soma do número de instrumentos dentários presentes em quantidade suficiente (0 a 36). As medidas de tendência central e de variabilidade desse escore foram comparadas com as características organizacionais dos serviços e de acordo com a macrorregião brasileira. Nenhum instrumental foi encontrado em todos os serviços avaliados. Os instrumentos básicos, cirúrgicos e restauradores foram os mais frequentemente encontrados. Os instrumentos periodontais, endodônticos e para realização de prótese exibiram as percentagens mais baixas. O número médio e mediano de instrumentos dentários foi maior para as equipes que operavam em mais turnos, aqueles com um técnico em saúde bucal e aqueles nas regiões Sul e Sudeste. Os serviços de saúde bucal estavam equipados com instrumentos básicos, cirúrgicos e restauradores. Os instrumentos indicados para diagnóstico periodontal, cuidados de emergência e reabilitação com próteses dentárias foram menos frequentemente encontrados nesses serviços. As piores condições de infra-estrutura existiam nos ESB com as piores formas de organização de cuidados e em regiões com maiores problemas sociais.

Regional differences in infection control conditions in a sample of primary health care services in Brazil.

International guidelines have pointed out the importance of the physical environment of health care facilities in preventing and controlling infection. We aimed to describe the physical environment of dental care facilities in Brazil in 2014, focusing on characteristics designed to control infections. Exactly 16,202 dental offices in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) participated in this survey. Trained researchers extracted information about the infection control characteristics of health facilities by using a structured instrument. We used data from 12 dichotomous questions that evaluated the wall, floor, sink and tap conditions, and the presence and condition of sterilization equipment. We calculated a score by summing the number of characteristics handled appropriately for infection control, which could range from 0 to 12. Hierarchical cluster analyses were developed. None of the 12 criteria were met by all the oral health teams. Only 208 (1.3%) dental offices correctly performed all 12-infection control practices. Two clusters, with different frequencies of structure for infection control in dental offices, were identified. South and Southeast regions had the highest frequencies for Cluster 1, with better structure of infection control in dental offices. Dental care facilities of oral health teams were not typically meeting the infection control guidelines regarding clinic design and equipment. Adherence to the guidelines varied among the Brazilian geographic regions.

Regional differences in infection control conditions in a sample of primary health care services in Brazil / Diferenças regionais nas condições de controle de infecções em uma amostra de serviços de atenção primária no Brasil / Diferencias regionales en las condiciones del control de infecciones en una muestra de servicios de atención primaria en Brasil

International guidelines have pointed out the importance of the physical environment of health care facilities in preventing and controlling infection. We aimed to describe the physical environment of dental care facilities in Brazil in 2014, focusing on characteristics designed to control infections. Exactly 16,202 dental offices in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) participated in this survey. Trained researchers extracted information about the infection control characteristics of health facilities by using a structured instrument. We used data from 12 dichotomous questions that evaluated the wall, floor, sink and tap conditions, and the presence and condition of sterilization equipment. We calculated a score by summing the number of characteristics handled appropriately for infection control, which could range from 0 to 12. Hierarchical cluster analyses were developed. None of the 12 criteria were met by all the oral health teams. Only 208 (1.3%) dental offices correctly performed all 12-infection control practices. Two clusters, with different frequencies of structure for infection control in dental offices, were identified. South and Southeast regions had the highest frequencies for Cluster 1, with better structure of infection control in dental offices. Dental care facilities of oral health teams were not typically meeting the infection control guidelines regarding clinic design and equipment. Adherence to the guidelines varied among the Brazilian geographic regions.

As diretrizes internacionais destacam a importância do ambiente físico dos serviços de saúde para prevenir e controlar as infecções. Procuramos descrever o ambiente físico em serviços de saúde bucal no Brasil em 2014, com enfoque nas características programadas para controlar as infecções. Precisamente 16.202 consultórios odontológicos no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) participaram na pesquisa. Pesquisadores treinados coletaram informações sobre as características do controle de infecções nesses serviços de saúde, utilizando um instrumento padronizado. Utilizamos dados de 12 perguntas dicotômicas que avaliavam as condições das paredes, piso, pia e torneira e a presença e as condições do equipamento de esterilização. Calculamos um escore pela soma do número de características administradas adequadamente para o controle de infecções, variando de 0 a 12. Foram desenvolvidas análises hierárquicas de clusters. Nenhum dos 12 critérios foi atendido por todas as equipes de saúde bucal. Apenas 208 (1,3%) dos consultórios odontológicos realizavam todas as 12 práticas de controle de infecções. Foram identificados dois clusters com distintas frequências de estruturas para controle de infecções nos consultórios odontológicos. As regiões Sul e Sudeste mostraram as maiores frequências no Cluster 1, com melhor estrutura de controle de infecções nos consultórios odontológicos. De maneira geral os serviços de saúde bucal não atendiam as diretrizes para o controle de infecções, referentes à planta física e equipamento dos consultórios. A aderência às diretrizes variava de acordo com a região do país.

Las directrices internacionales destacan la importancia del ambiente físico de los servicios de salud para prevenir y controlar infecciones. Procuramos describir el ambiente físico en servicios de salud bucal en Brasil en 2014, centrándonos en las características programadas para controlar las infecciones. Precisamente 16.202 consultorios odontológicos del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) participaron en la investigación. Investigadores entrenados recogieron información sobre las características del control de infecciones en esos servicios de salud, utilizando un instrumento estandarizado. Utilizamos los datos procedentes de 12 preguntas dicotómicas que evaluaban las condiciones de las paredes, suelo, fregadero y grifo, además de la existencia y condiciones del equipamiento de esterilización. Calculamos una puntuación para la suma del número de características administradas adecuadamente para el control de infecciones, variando de 0 a 12. Se desarrollaron análisis jerárquicos de clúster. Ninguno de los 12 criterios fue observado por todos los equipos de salud bucal. Solamente 208 (1,3%) de los consultorios odontológicos realizaban las 12 prácticas de control de infecciones al completo. Se identificaron dos clústeres con distintas frecuencias de estructuras para el control de infecciones en los consultorios odontológicos. Las regiones Sur y Sudeste mostraron las mayores frecuencias en el Clúster 1, con una mejor estructura de control de infecciones en los consultorios odontológicos. De manera general, los servicios de salud bucal no atendían a las directrices para el control de infecciones, referentes a las instalaciones físicas y equipamiento de los consultorios. La adherencia a las directrices variaba de acuerdo con la región del país.

Relationship between Primary and Secondary Dental Care in Public Health Services in Brazil.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between primary and secondary oral health care in Brazil. For this purpose, data from the National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care were used. Dentists from 12,403 oral health teams (OHTs) answered a structured questionnaire in 2012. The data were analyzed descriptively and by cluster analysis. Of the 12,387 (99.9%) OHTs that answered all the questions, 62.2% reported the existence of Dental Specialties Centers (DSCs) to which they could refer patients. The specialties with the highest frequencies were endodontics (68.4%), minor oral surgery (65.8%), periodontics (63.0%), radiology (46.8%), oral medicine (40.2%), orthodontics (20.5%) and implantology (6.2%). In all percentiles, the shortest wait time for secondary care was for radiology, followed by oral medicine and the other specialties. In the 50th percentile, the wait for endodontics, periodontics, minor oral surgery and orthodontics was 30 days, while for implantology, the wait was 60 days. Finally, in the 75th percentile, the wait for endodontics, orthodontics and implantology was 90 days or more. Two clusters, with different frequencies of OHT access to specialties, were identified. Cluster 1 (n = 7,913) included the OHTs with lower frequencies in all specialties except orthodontics and implantology compared with Cluster 2 (n = 4,474). Of the Brazilian regions, the South and Southeast regions had the highest frequencies for Cluster 2, with better rates for the relationship between primary and secondary care. This study suggests certain difficulties in the relationship between primary and secondary care in specific specialties in oral health, with a great number of OHTs with limited access to DSCs, in addition to different performance in terms of OHT access to DSCs across Brazilian regions.

Describing the primary care actions of oral health teams in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the primary care actions performed by oral health teams (OHTs) that participated in a large national survey led by the Ministry of Health in 2012. METHODS: A total of 12,403 dentists from OHTs completed a set of survey questions (response rate = 85.01%) on the organization of care, basic dental procedures and oral health surveillance actions of OHTs. Descriptive and hierarchical cluster analyses were developed. RESULTS: The majority of OHTs (85.2%) reported that they performed "patient welcoming". The delivery of services was based on a patient's identified disease risk (83.1%), and continuity of care was ensured by 85.9% of OHTs. Individual preventive, restorative and surgical procedures were performed by the majority of the teams; however, screening for oral cancer and construction of dental prostheses/dentures occurred less frequently. Cluster 1 was composed of OHTs with the lowest proportion of oral healthcare actions related to oral cancer and dental prostheses/dentures, and the Southeastern and Southern regions had higher proportions of OHTs from cluster 2. CONCLUSIONS: OHTs adhere to some of the principles of primary care organizations; however, the teams perform fewer actions related to oral cancer treatment and rehabilitation with complete dentures. The geographical distribution of the clusters was unequal in Brazil.