Telemonitoring as a Telehealth strategy to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in a Brazilian capital.

Objective: This study aimed to describe and analyze the process of creating and implementing telemonitoring services for COVID-19 cases, focusing on strengths and weaknesses. Methods: A single case study incorporating qualitative and quantitative data using descriptive and exploratory approach was performed from 24 March 2020 to 24 March 2021 in a Brazilian capital city. Data collection took place through interviews, document analysis, and direct observation. Thematic content analysis was performed, and the results were presented in categories. Results: The project included 512 health professionals, and 102,000 patients were monitored. The service was designed to break the chain of transmission, reinforce biosecurity measures, and provide comprehensive care to patients. Initially, two levels of monitoring were created. The first was a multidisciplinary health team that made calls to patients in the database. If the patients showed warning signs or aggravation, they were referred to the physician's monitoring referral service. Subsequently, a third level was created and staffed by psychologists. The main challenges were the number of patients notified, needing to update the contact forms as COVID-19 knowledge increased, and inconsistent telephone numbers recorded in the notifications. Conclusions: Telemonitoring allowed signs of worsening COVID-19 to be identified, monitored thousands of people, and stopped infected patients from circulating. Adapting the existing telehealth structure was a viable, agile, and powerful strategy to reach a large number of people.

Injuries from traffic accidents and use of protection equipment in the Brazilian population, according to a population-based study.

The article aims to describe the injuries in traffic according to demographic characteristics, use of protective equipment, use of health services, activity limitations and disabilities. The percentage involvement in traffic accidents with injuries, the percentage of use of protective equipment, use of health services, limitation of daily activities, disability and sequelae, according to educational level, race, color, sex, age and region of residence it estimated.The use of safety belt in the adult population was 79.4%and 50.2% in the front seats and back, respectively; the helmet use among motorcycle drivers and passengers were respectively 83.4 and 80.1. Safety equipment are less used in the North and Northeast and in the countryside. Reported car accident last month 3.1%, being higher in males 4.5%, the people of complete primary schooling and School graduate, young adult and the brown race-color. Among the injured received some form of health care due to this accident 52.4%, were admitted 7.7%. They reported having had limitation of daily activities, disabilities and consequences arising from traffic accidents 14.1%. Car accidents are high in the country.

Emergency room visits due to external causes and alcohol consumption--Capitals and the Federal District, Brazil, 2011.

The study objective was to describe the profile and factors related to alcohol consumption among emergency room visits by external causes. It is a cross-sectional study with data from the Survey of Violence and Injuries in Emergency between September and October 2011, in 24 state capitals and the Federal District. Statistical analysis were performed for all cases treated in selected services, comparing the characteristics of the victims, according to the statement of alcohol consumption. 33,289 visits to emergency rooms by external causes in the population above 18 years of age were included. The prevalence of self-reported statement of alcohol consumption among these services was 14.9% for the 24 capitals and the Federal District, and was significantly higher among visits by violent causes than by accidents. For both accidents and violence the associated causes were victims male, black/brown, less educated, members of specific populations, occurrences on public roads. The results support global discussions on the importance of establishing policies and legal measures to restrict the consumption of alcohol and vehicular direction, control advertising of alcoholic beverages, and laws normalizing the functioning of sales points of alcoholic beverages.

Emergency room visits for work-related injuries: characteristics and associated factors - capitals and the Federal District, Brazil, 2011.

Work-related injuries, often classified as occupational injuries (OI), stand out among visits due to external causes (accidents and violence) in health services. To describe the characteristics and factors associated with emergency room visits for OI, a cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Survey of Violence and Injuries in Emergency Services (VIVA Inquérito 2011) in 24 state capitals and the Federal District. The prevalence of treatment for OI and prevalence ratios (PR) with confidence intervals of 95% (95%CI) were calculated. There were 29,463 emergency room visits due to accidental injuries in the population above 18 years of age. The prevalence of OI was 33.4% and was positively and significantly associated with the male gender, age 30-59 years old, industrial workers, agricultural sector or repair and maintenance services. The occurrence of OI was significantly higher in attendance for objects falling on people (PR = 3.37, 95% CI 2.80 to 4.05) and injuries due to perforating object (PR = 3.01, 95% CI 2.50-3.65). The results support the surveillance of external causes and direct public policies to promote occupational health.

Alcohol consumption and driving in Brazilian capitals and Federal District according to two national health surveys.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of indicators of alcohol consumption and driving for Brazilian capitals based on two population surveys performed in Brazil in 2013. METHODS: Cross sectional study with data from adults (≥ 18 years) participants of the Telephone Survey on Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases (Vigitel) and the National Health Survey (NHS). Prevalence for indicators of alcohol consumption and driving was then calculated. RESULTS: The proportion of adult drivers who drove soon after drinking was significantly higher among males (29.3% - Vigitel and 24.4% - NHS), the young aging 18 to 29 years (31.6% - Vigitel and 24.1% - NHS) and among residents of the capitals of the Midwest (33.7% - Vigitel and 28.3% - NHS). The proportion of adults who reported drinking and driving was higher among males (9.4% - Vigitel and 7.4% - NHS) in the 18 to 29 age group (7.1% - Vigitel; 4.5% - NHS), and among residents of the capitals of the Midwest (7.9% - Vigitel and 6.1% - NHS). CONCLUSION: The study estimated the prevalence of the habit of driving after alcohol consumption among drivers and in the general population. There was consistency between the results from two nationwide surveys.

Situations of violence experienced by students in the state capitals and the Federal District: results from the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012).

OBJECTIVE: To describe violent events experienced by school-aged adolescents in school, around the school and in the family context, and to compare the results of the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey of 2009 and 2012. METHODS: Indicators related to violence involving teenagers were analyzed. The prevalence rates and confidence intervals of 95% were calculated for events of interest according to gender and type of school (public or private) and regions. RESULTS: Prevalence rates were: insecurity in the route between home-school (9.1%), insecurity in school (8.0%), physical assault in the last 12 months (18.2%), engaging in fights in the last 12 months (20.7%), fighting with a cold weapon (8.3%), fighting with firearms (6.9%), physical assault by a family member (11.6%) and having been seriously injured in the last 12 months (10.3%). The situations of violence were more prevalent among male students from public schools. The comparison with the 2009 survey showed increased prevalence in all the variables studied. CONCLUSION: Teenagers are exposed to different forms of violence, and the data from the National Survey of School Health can support the planning of preventive actions.

Factors associated with injuries in adolescents, from the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012).

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of injuries among teenagers and to examine the associated risk factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics, risk behaviors, family ties and other factors. METHOD: The prevalence of the outcome (injury) was estimated with a 95%confidence interval. In order to verify factors associated with the injury, a bivariate analysis was made with estimated odds ratio (OR) and its respective confidence intervals. Then, a multivariate analysis was carried out, only with variables whose descriptive level was equal to or lower than 5% (p < 0.05) remaining in the model. RESULTS: The study of injury in adolescents, based on the data from the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE), pointed out that 10.3% of the teenagers suffered severe injuries in the past 12 months, such as cuts or perforations, broken bones or dislocated joints. The following variables remained independently associated with "suffering severe injuries": being a male teenager; black, mulatto or indigenous race/color and working. Factors related to family ties are significant when the relations are fragile amongst members: adolescents that are injured the most are the ones who suffer most aggressions at home, who skip classes without notifying their parents, those who do not live with their parents and have low family control. The most relevant aspects of mental health are insomnia and loneliness. The factors associated to the exposure to situations of violence that remained in the model were: insecurity in school and in the route home-school; getting a ride with someone inebriated; drinking and driving motorized vehicles; not wearing the seatbelt; not wearing a helmet and being bullied. Among the factors of individual behavior, the following can be emphasized: use of alcohol, cigarettes, trying illicit drugs and early sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the determinants for suffering injuries in childhood and adolescence shows the complex relationship between associated factors, which points to the need for action towards several aspects to reduce social inequalities, strengthen family ties and prevent violent contexts and individual risk factors.

Alcohol consumption among Brazilian Adolescents according to the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of alcohol consumption among Brazilian students and identify the sociodemographic factors associated alcohol consumption in the last 30 days. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a cluster sample of 109,104 9th grade students in Brazilian public and private schools in 2012. The prevalence and 95% confidence intervals of the indicators of alcohol consumption were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the students analyzed, 50.3% (95%CI 49.0 - 51.6) experimented one dose of alcoholic beverages or more. The consumption of alcohol in the last 30 days was 26.1% (95%CI 24.5 - 27.7), and there was no difference in prevalence between students from public and private schools. Drunkenness episodes were reported by 21.8% (95%CI 21.1 - 22.5) of the students. The perception of students about the negative reaction of their family if they came home drunk occurred in 89,7% (95%CI 89,6 - 89,9) of cases, and 10% (95%CI 8.9 - 11.1) of them reported having problems with their families or friends because they had been drinking. Among adolescents aged less than 14 years old, the first alcoholic drink intake was predominantly at 12 to 13 years old. The most common way to get a drink was at parties, with friends, buying in them in supermarkets, stores or bars and at home. The consumption of alcohol in the last 30 days was less frequent among boys, increasing with age. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the extension of alcohol as a problem, making it important to advance in measures such as the improvement of protective legislation for children and adolescents and stricter enforcement in alcohol sales.

[Morbidity and mortality of young Brazilian men due to aggression: expression of gender differentials]. / Morbimortalidade de homens jovens brasileiros por agressão: expressão dos diferenciais de gênero.

Mortality, hospitalization and emergency attendance visits for assault in Brazil, from 1996 to 2007 were analyzed. The data sources are the Mortality Information System/SIM, the Hospital Information System/SIH and the Surveillance System of Violence and Injuries/VIVA of the Ministry of Health. It was focused on males in the 15 to 29 year-old age group, and other variables related to the victim, the aggressor and the event. The male/ woman distribution was 11.6 times higher for mortality, 4.5 times for hospitalization and 2.8 times for hospital emergency treatment. In 2007 the rate of 15 to 29 year-old men was 92.8/100,000 inhabitants. The Southeast and Northeast have the highest incidence and prevalence. The conclusion was that the male/female differential rates occurs during adolescence, intensifies in early adulthood, and despite decreasing in intensity, continues until death. Cultural gender models and socio-structural aspects were examined to explain such marked differences.

[Mortality due to Road Traffic Accidents in Brazil in the last decade: trends and risk clusters]. / Mortalidade por Acidentes de Transporte Terrestre no Brasil na última década: tendência e aglomerados de risco.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temporal trends of mortality due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) as well as identify the existence and location of high risk death clusters for RTA using spatial analysis. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive study of temporal trends by RTA, pedestrians, motorcyclists, motorists and passengers and spatial analysis for 2000 and 2010. The data was obtained from the Mortality Information System, and standardized rates were calculated by age in Brazilian states and municipalities grouped by population size. RESULTS: The mortality rates due to RTA between 2000 and 2010 varied from 18 to 22.5 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. The risk of death for pedestrians decreased in recent years, though motorists, motorcyclists and passengers saw a rising trend. A higher risk of death by RTA occurred in municipalities with populations up to 20,000 inhabitants and in those from 20,000 to 100,000 inhabitants. Spatial analysis revealed risk clusters for RTA and motorcyclists and pillion riders with an increase between 2000 and 2010 and enlargement of the areas most at risk in the Northeast. CONCLUSION: Increase in the rates of mortality by RTA mostly in the Northeast. Coordinated action between government, civil society and the citizens themselves is required to tackle this problem.

[Emergency care for victims of violence and accidents: differences in the epidemiological profile between the public and private health services. VIVA--Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, 2009]. / Atendimentos de emergência a vítimas de violências e acidentes: diferenças no perfil epidemiológico entre o setor público e o privado. VIVA - Campinas/SP, 2009.

The scope of this study is to analyze the differences in the profile of emergency care for external causes between public and private emergency departments. With data come from VIVA-Campinas 2009, the association between the nature of healthcare and the characteristics of the victims was verified using the chi-square test. Using Poisson regression, proportion ratios of care in the public and private network were estimated. In the sample of 1094 victims, 67.8% were treated by public health. Traffic accidents, animal-related accidents, and assaults were 2 times higher in public units, whereas collisions with objects and sprains were 75% and 2.7 times higher in private units. Cranium-encephalic trauma/polytrauma and cuts/lacerations were 3.8 times and 61% more frequent in public care, while victims with no injuries, with dislocations/sprains or fractures being predominant in private care. Head and multiple organ injuries, road accident and work-related injuries, the use of public transport or mobile emergency care services/ambulances were predominant in public care. Revealing significant differences in care in public and private care can contribute to the organization of healthcare.

[Accidents and violence among women attended in Sentinel Emergency Services--Brazil, 2009]. / Acidentes e violências entre mulheres atendidas em Serviços de Emergência Sentinela - Brasil, 2009.

Accidents from external causes affect the human population in different ways. This article seeks to analyze emergency care for women who are victims of accidents and violence. Data from the Surveillance System for Violence and Accidents were analyzed. This study was carried out in 74 emergency units of 23 state capitals and the Federal District in 2009 and included 6,965 women aged from 20-59 years. The age groups of 20-39 and 40-59 years were compared for the occurrence of accidents and violence. Accidents were more frequent among young black women (20-39 years) with more than nine years of schooling. The occurrence of violence was also prevalent in young black women but with less schooling. Falls were the most frequent accidents (38.6%), followed by traffic accidents. The occurrence of violence was more frequent in the home (p <0.000) and the mention of alcohol abuse among victims of violence was predominant. The most frequent type of violence was aggression (84.6%), in which the aggressor was male (79.1%) and identified as an intimate partner (44.1%). It is increasingly important that services are able to provide comprehensive and humanized care to the victims of this important public health problem.

[Violence against the elderly: analysis of the reports made in the health sector--Brazil, 2010]. / Violência contra a pessoa idosa: análise das notificações realizadas no setor saúde - Brasil, 2010.

The scope of this study was to describe reports of violence against the elderly (e" 60 years) reported in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases - net version (Sinan Net) in 2010. We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study with data analyzed by Stata version 11. We estimated proportion ratios (PR) of violence according to selected variables. Of the 3,593 reports of violence against the elderly, 52.3% were against females. Physical violence was significantly more frequent against males (PR=0.82) in the group aged 60 to 69 years, out of the home, committed by offenders who were not sons and were suspected of drinking alcohol. Psychological violence was more common among elderly people (PR=2.17), in the home, inflicted by sons, with suspected chronic alcohol abuse. Negligence was predominant among females (P R=1.24), in the group above 70 years of age, in the home, recurrently perpetrated by sons. Sexual violence was more common against females (PR=5.21), by offenders who were not children, but who consumed alcohol. The knowledge of the different manifestations of violence against the elderly supports actions to combat them, identifying characteristics of vulnerability in which support networks may intervene.

[Analysis of the occurrence of traffic injuries and related factors according to the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) Brazil, 2008]. / Análise das ocorrências das lesões no trânsito e fatores relacionados segundo resultados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD) Brasil, 2008.

The study describes the estimates of occurrence of injury due to traffic accidents among the Brazilian population based on data obtained from the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD). It is a probabilistic sample, in which 391,868 people were interviewed. in three stages, namely municipalities, census sectors and households. The traffic accident (TA) and the safety belt usage variables were described according to socio-demographic variables and region of residence. Proportions, 95% confidence intervals, χ² tests and p values were calculated. 2.5% (CI95% 2.4-2.6%) of the population reported higher traffic accident (TA) incidence among males (3.5%; CI95%: 3.4-3.6), youths (4.4%; CI95%: 4.2-4.6) and residents in the Central-West region (3.3% CI95%3.0-3.6). Most of the events involved drivers or passengers of cars or vans (53.9%), followed by motorcyclists or pillion passengers (30.1%), cyclists (7.6%) and pedestrians (5.25%). The front seat safety belt is used by 73.2% (CI95% 72.2-74.2) and the rear seat safety belt is only used by 37.4% (CI95% 36.6-38.2). Traffic accidents led to the abandonment of their habitual activities by 30.7% of those involved. The severity of injuries in traffic accidents demands further preventive and legislative measures to reduce such incidents.

[Unintentional injuries at the Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System--Brazil, 2006]. / Atendimentos de emergência por acidentes na Rede de Vigilância de Violências e Acidentes--Brasil, 2006.

In 2006, the Brazilian Ministry of Health established the Injury Surveillance System Network in Sentinel Services (Rede VIVA) to describe data on injuries victims treated at emergency departments (ED), especially minor injuries which do not cause deaths and hospitalization. This study describes the characteristics of unintentional injuries victims treated in these EDs by means of a transversal descriptive study with data coming from EDs located in 35 municipalities with the highest injury rates. The data were collected during 30 consecutive days in an alternated 12-hour shift. There were a total of 41,677 patients with unintentional injuries, mainly among males (64.8%), people aged 20 to 29 years (23.0%) and low level of education (45.8%). Falls were the main cause (40.1% overall), followed by transport related injuries (26.6% overall). The more frequent place of occurrence were public streets (36.3% overall) and residences (33.6% overall). The body parts most affected were upper members (42.7%), lower members (42.0%) and head/face (29.2%). The injury surveillance in sentinel services allows collecting timeless data about minor cases which is essential for planning and implementing preventive measures.

[Profile of unintentional injuries involving children under ten years of age in emergency departments--Brazil, 2006 to 2007]. / Perfil dos atendimentos de emergência por acidentes envolvendo crianças menores de dez anos--Brasil, 2006 a 2007.

External causes occupy a high position in the morbidity and mortality profile of youth and children in Brazil, configuring an important public health problem and demanding the deepening of the studies on its characteristics and magnitude. This article describes the profile of emergency care for accidents suffered by children (< 10 years of age) seen at emergency public in some services in Brazil in 2006 and 2007. The data were obtained from survey surveillance component of the Sentinel Service Surveillance System for Violence and Accidents (VIVA), of the Ministry of Health. Children represented about 20% of emergency visits by accidents, with male sex predominance and pre scholars' (2-5 years of age). The greater proportion of accidents (60%) occurred in the household, followed by public ways, school, leisure and sport practice places. Falls and burns had greater participation in the younger age group (< 1), while transport accidents and other types of accidents presented greater frequency among children age 2 to 5. It is necessary to develop education programs since pre school and along the community, aiming of warning about risks and the need of adopt safe behavior in relation to the household environment and the development phase of the child.

[Alcohol-related injuries in emergency departments in Brazil, 2006 and 2007]. / Consumo de álcool entre vítimas de acidentes e violências atendidas em serviços de emergência no Brasil, 2006 e 2007.

Alcohol-related injuries are an important public health issue worldwide. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of alcohol intake perceived by interviewers among injury victims seen at emergency departments in selected Brazilian cities. Cross-sectional data were collected from the injury surveillance system based on sentinel health services recently implemented in the country through intentional sampling in 2006 and 2007 and analyzed in Epi Info 3.5.1. Alcohol intake perception was higher in violence-related injuries than in unintentional injuries (37.9% versus 8%). For violence-related injuries, highest proportions of alcohol intake perception were observed among males (43.7%), 20 to 39 years old (45.3%), blacks (40.5%), and low schooling level victims (40.3%). Settings where these injuries occurred with the highest concerned proportions were taverns (78.2%) and public places (39.5%). Higher alcohol intake perception was observed in assaults (39.1%), suicide attempts (25.4%), transport-related injuries (16.8%), and falls victims (5.9%).

Violence-related injury in emergency departments in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the characteristics of violence-related injury (VRI) cases presenting at emergency departments (EDs) in Brazil and compares circumstances for assault-related and self-inflicted cases. METHODS: The study is cross-sectional. The data describe cases seen in September 2006 in 62 EDs, representing all 26 states and the Federal District. A total of 4 835 case records were analyzed. Basic statistical tabulations were complemented by logistic regression analysis to assess potential associations between type of violence (assault or self-harm) and multiple factors. RESULTS: Males comprised 72.8% of cases while those aged 20 to 29 comprised 35.4%. Alcohol use was reported or suspected in 42.7% of cases, more commonly among males. Assault victims comprised 91.4% of cases versus self-inflicted injuries, which accounted for 8.6%. Three-fourths of the assault victims were male, while over half of the self-inflicted injury victims were female. The leading mechanism for assaults was physical force/blunt objects (46.2%), whereas poisoning was the predominant mechanism for self-inflicted injuries (71.4%). Younger females were significantly more likely to have been victims of self-inflicted injuries than younger males, while younger males were more likely to have been victims of assault; this finding is more pronounced in cases where alcohol use was reported. Self-inflicted injuries were significantly more likely to occur in residences, while assaults were more likely to occur away from home. CONCLUSION: These results can improve understanding of the scope and characteristics of VRIs in Brazil (and thus contribute to national injury prevention efforts), and help identify areas for future research.