Did the COVID-19 quarantine policies applied in Cochabamba, Bolivia mitigated cases successfully? an interrupted time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted varied policy responses globally, with Latin America facing unique challenges. A detailed examination of these policies' impacts on health systems is crucial, particularly in Bolivia, where information about policy implementation and outcomes is limited. OBJECTIVE: To describe the COVID-19 testing trends and evaluate the effects of quarantine measures on these trends in Cochabamba, Bolivia. METHODS: Utilizing COVID-19 testing data from the Cochabamba Department Health Service for the 2020-2022 period. Stratified testing rates in the health system sectors were first estimated followed by an interrupted time series analysis using a quasi-Poisson regression model for assessing the quarantine effects on the mitigation of cases during surge periods. RESULTS: The public sector reported the larger percentage of tests (65%), followed by the private sector (23%) with almost double as many tests as the public-social security sector (11%). In the time series analysis, a correlation between the implementation of quarantine policies and a decrease in the slope of positive rates of COVID-19 cases was observed compared to periods without or with reduced quarantine policies. CONCLUSION: This research underscores the local health system disparities and the effectiveness of stringent quarantine measures in curbing COVID-19 transmission in the Cochabamba region. The findings stress the importance of the measures' intensity and duration, providing valuable lessons for Bolivia and beyond. As the global community learns from the pandemic, these insights are critical for shaping resilient and effective health policy responses.

Main findings: The findings highlight the importance of stringent quarantine measures in managing infectious disease outbreaks, offering valuable insights for policymakers worldwide in strategizing effective public health interventions.Added knowledge: By providing a detailed analysis of testing disparities and quarantine policies' effectiveness within a specific Latin American context, our research fills a critical gap in understanding their impacts on health system responses and disease control.Global health impact for policy and action: The findings highlight the importance of stringent quarantine measures in managing infectious disease outbreaks, offering valuable insights for policymakers worldwide in strategizing effective public health interventions.

Comprehensive insights into health services accessibility and quality of life of families with individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2 DS) presents unique healthcare challenges for affected individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Despite its rarity, 22q11.2 DS is the most common microdeletion syndrome in humans, emphasizing the need to understand and address the distinctive healthcare requirements of those affected. This paper examines the multifaceted issue of health service access and caregivers' quality of life in the context of 22q11.2 DS in Brazil, a condition with diverse signs and symptoms requiring multidisciplinary care. This study employs a comprehensive approach to evaluate health service accessibility and the quality of life of caregivers of individuals with 22q11.2 DS. It utilizes a structured Survey and the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire for data collection. RESULTS: Individuals with 22q11.2 DS continue to receive incomplete clinical management after obtaining the diagnosis, even in the face of socioeconomic status that enabled an average age of diagnosis that precedes that found in sample groups that are more representative of the Brazilian population (mean of 3.2 years versus 10 years, respectively). In turn, caring for individuals with 22q11.2 DS who face difficulty accessing health services impacts the quality of life associated with the caregivers' environment of residence. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained help bridge the research gap in understanding how caring for individuals with multisystem clinical conditions such as 22q11.2 DS and difficulties in accessing health are intertwined with aspects of quality of life in Brazil. This research paves the way for more inclusive healthcare policies and interventions to enhance the quality of life for families affected by this syndrome.

Medicines policy, access and use in Mexico: a systematic literature review 2000-2022.

Background: Research on medicines access and use is heterogeneous and can be challenging for decision-makers to interpret. Pharmaceutical policy is an additional component for study and is the foundation for the promotion of access and use of medicines. This systematic review summarizes findings from the literature on medicines policy, access and use over the past two decades in Mexico and identifies research gaps that should be addressed. Methods: A systematic review of the literature published between 2000 and 2022 was conducted to identify publications on medicines policy, access and use in Mexico. The study followed PRISMA Statement guidelines 2020. A narrative review including content analysis was conducted. Results: A total of 5057 articles were reviewed, of which 77 fit the inclusion criteria. Studies described the lack of an explicit national policy, a misalignment between the legal framework and reinforcement incentives, deficient policy documentation at the national level, and the absence of necessary medicines regulation and transparency. In terms of access to medicines, challenges related to supply, selection, acquisition, distribution and expenditure were noted. Regarding medicine use, key study findings included a lack of adherence to standard treatment guidelines, dispensing, lack of reliable information on medicines, lack of treatment adherence and harmful self-medication. Conclusion: The appropriate use of medicines and adequate access to them are priority topics for the formulation of Mexican pharmaceutical policy. It is critical that further research includes longitudinal studies of medicine access and use, and the consideration of studying the private sector as well as new methodological approaches. Many reported challenges related to access to and use of medicines have persisted across decades, suggesting a lack of effective research-to-practice knowledge transfer and policy implementation.This article is part of the Hospital pharmacy, rational use of medicines and patient safety in Latin America Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/hospital-pharmacy-rational-use-of-medicines-and-patient-safety-in-latin-america/.

Desafios para o suporte à amamentação em homens transgêneros sob à luz da interseccionalidade / Intersectionality and challenges in support for chest-feeding transgender men

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é apreender os desafios nas vivências dos usuários e profissionais de Banco de Leite Humano no atendimento a homens transgêneros no contexto da amamentação sob à luz da Interseccionalidade. Estudo qualitativo descritivo-exploratório a partir de entrevistas realizadas com seis profissionais do Banco de Leite Humano, que atenderam previamente homens trans no contexto de amamentação, e dois homens trans bissexuais, que amamentaram ao peito. Os dados foram tratados pela Análise Temática com auxílio do software Atlas.ti versão 9.0. Observam-se lacunas nas esferas educacionais, institucionais e na gestão, associadas a questões pessoais e sociais, que reproduzem um modelo pré-concebido normativo, desconsiderando as singularidades requeridas no atendimento à população trans no contexto da amamentação. A cisheteronormatividade e a supremacia do profissional operam em âmbitos pessoais, sociais e institucionais para a segregação de homens transgêneros nos serviços de suporte à amamentação. A análise interseccional destes desafios permite uma visão global dos fatores de segregação e a implementação de políticas públicas promotoras da justiça social.

Abstract This article tried, from an intersectional standpoint, to grasp the challenges experienced by health professionals and service users of human milk banks in provision of care for transgender men chestfeeding. This exploratory, descriptive qualitative study drew on interviews of six human milk bank staff, who had previously assisted trans men in relation to chestfeeding and two bisexual trans men, who chestfed. The data was treated by thematic analysis, supported by Atlas.ti software, version 9.0. Lacunas in the educational, institutional and management spheres, associated with personal and social issues, reproduce a pre-conceived normative model and disregard the special demands of providing chestfeeding care for the trans population. Cisheteronormativity and "professional supremacy" operate in personal, social and institutional respects to segregate transgender men in lactation support services. Intersectional analysis of these challenges affords an overall view of segregative factors and enables public policies to be introduced to promote social justice.

Arranjos assistenciais em uma rede atenção psicossocial no sul do Brasil / Arreglos asistenciales en una red de apoyo psicosocial en sur de Brasil / Care arrangements on a psychosocial care network in southern Brazil

RESUMO. A implementação da reforma psiquiátrica é tema de recorrentes discussões no campo da saúde mental. Essa implementação não é padrão para todas as localidades brasileiras, uma vez que depende dos recursos materiais, humanos e aspectos culturais de cada região. A esta singularidade retoma-se a noção de arranjo assistencial. Este trabalho se propôs a conhecer a implementação numa regional de saúde da região Sul. Foi realizado um mapeamento descritivo, seguindo método empírico-fenomenológico. Descrevem-se serviços que acolhem todos os públicos, mas que encontram dificuldades no trabalho com a população usuária de álcool e outras drogas. Foram elencados sete dispositivos assistenciais: acolhimento, grupos terapêuticos, oficinas, atendimentos individuais, uso da medicação, encaminhamentos e reuniões de equipe. Expõe-se a ideia de que a estrutura de um serviço de saúde mental não pode ser estanque. Os arranjos assistenciais estão relacionados às vivências e soluções criativas e humanas como também práticas irrefletidas e normatizadoras na atenção do sofrimento mental.

RESUMEN. La implementación de la reforma psiquiátrica no se encuentra estandarizada para todas las regiones brasileras, una vez que eso depende de recursos materiales, humanos y de aspectos culturales. Por cuenta de esta singularidad, se retoma la noción de arreglo asistencial. En este trabajo se propone conocer la implementación en una regional de salud de sur de Brasil. Se realizó un mapeo descriptivo, siguiendo el método empírico-fenomenológico. Se describen servicios que acogen a todos los públicos, pero que encuentran dificultades en el trabajo con usuarios de alcohol y drogas. Fueran enumerados siete dispositivos asistenciales: Acogimiento, grupos terapéuticos, talleres, atendimientos individuales, uso de medicación, encaminamientos y reuniones de equipo. Se expone la idea de que la estructura de un servicio de Salud Mental no puede ser hermética. Los arreglos asistenciales están relacionados con las vivencias y soluciones creativas y humanas como también prácticas irreflexivas y normalizadoras en la atención del sufrimiento mental.

ABSTRACT. The psychiatric reform is not standard in all Brazilian places, as it depends on different factors such as material, human and cultural aspects of each region. As for its singularity, it is seen as a care arrangement. This article aims to study the psychosocial care network on a regional health department in south Brazil. A descriptive mapping has been performed, following the empirical-phenomenological method. The services described welcome the entire community, people from all walks of life, but when it comes Drug and Alcohol addicted, the approach becomes more challenging. There have been seven care services listed: Hosting, Therapeutic Groups, Workshops, Individual Treatment, Medication usage, Referrals and Support Group Meetings. The approach for care arrangement is related to the creative experiences and human solutions as well as thoughtless and normative practices in the attention of mental suffering.

Uso dos serviços de saúde por pessoas idosas em áreas rurais e urbanas do Brasil / Health services utilization by older adults in rural and urban areas of Brazil

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o uso dos serviços de saúde por pessoas idosas residentes em áreas urbanas e rurais do Brasil. Método Estudo transversal que analisou dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019, referentes aos moradores idosos (≥60 anos) selecionados nos domicílios, totalizando 22.728 entrevistas (3.300 em área rural e 19.426 em área urbana). Foram estimadas para as áreas rurais e urbanas as prevalências de cadastro na Estratégia Saúde da Família, intervalo de tempo da última consulta médica e odontológica, procura do serviço nas últimas duas semanas, última aferição da pressão arterial e da glicemia e avaliados os fatores associados à utilização dos serviços de saúde médicos e odontológicos nos últimos 12 meses. Resultados A autopercepção da saúde como 'muito boa' ou 'boa' foi maior na área urbana (47,32%), assim como a proporção de pessoas idosas que relataram consulta médica e odontológica nos últimos 12 meses (90,54%). Evidenciou-se menor frequência do acompanhamento da aferição de pressão arterial (81,30%) e da glicemia (45,83%) em áreas rurais. As pessoas idosas que possuem baixa escolaridade, residem em áreas rurais, na região Norte são as que possuem menor chance de utilização dos serviços. Conclusão A população idosa residente em área rural apresenta piores condições de saúde em relação à população residente em área urbana.

Abstract Objective To assess health services utilization by older adults in urban and rural areas of Brazil. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted analyzing data from the 2019 National Health Survey on older adults (≥60 years) selected from households based on 22,728 interviews (3,300 in rural and 19,426 in urban areas). For rural and urban areas, the prevalence of Family Health Strategy enrolment, time since last medical and dental visit, service use in past 2 weeks, and last blood pressure and blood glucose measurements were estimated. Also, the factors associated with medical and dental health services utilization in the past 12 months were explored. Results Self-rated health of "Very good" or "Good" was greater in urban areas (47.32%), as was the proportion of older adults reporting a medical or dental visit within the last 12 months (90.54%). Rates of blood pressure (81.30%) and glucose (45.83%) monitoring were lower in rural areas. Older individuals that had low education, resided in rural areas, and the North region, had a lower likelihood of using health services Conclusion The older population living in rural areas had poorer health status compared with the urban population.

Burden of metabolic syndrome on primary healthcare costs among older adults: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on healthcare costs remains unclear in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of MetS on primary healthcare costs of adults, as well as to identify the impact of physical activity and other covariates on this phenomenon. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Presidente Prudente, State of São Paulo/Brazil, in 2016. METHODS: The sample comprised 159 older adults (> 50 years) of both sexes (110 women) who were identified from their medical records in the Brazilian National Health Service. Healthcare costs (US$) were assessed through medical records and divided into medical consultations, medications, laboratory tests, and total costs. MetS was assessed using medical records. RESULTS: The Brazilian National Health Service spent more on consultations (US$ 22.75 versus US$ 19.39; + 17.3%) and medication (US$ 19.65 versus US$ 8.32; + 136.1%) among adults with MetS than among those without MetS, but the costs for laboratory tests were similar (P = 0.343). Total costs were 53.9% higher in adults with MetS than in those without the diagnosis of the disease (P = 0.001). Regarding total costs, there was an increase of US$ 38.97 when five components of MetS were present (P = 0.015), representing an increase of approximately 700%, even after adjusting for sex, age, and physical activity. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the presence of the MetS is responsible for increasing primary care costs among older adults, especially in those related to medicines.

Cuidado compartilhado em Saúde Mental: o que dizem os trabalhadores? / Shared Mental Health care: what do worker say? / Cuidado compartido en Salud Mental: ¿qué dicen los trabajadores?

A conjunção da Reforma Psiquiátrica e da Reforma Sanitária torna o Brasil um cenário único na superação do Paradigma Biomédico hegemônico e na radicalidade da desinstitucionalização no território. Este artigo objetiva analisar a percepção dos trabalhadores da Atenção Básica e da Atenção Especializada sobre o compartilhamento do cuidado em Saúde Mental em um município paulista de médio porte. Constitui-se como uma pesquisa qualitativa, de abordagem hermenêutico-dialética, cujos dados foram produzidos por narrativas de grupos focais narrativo-hermenêuticos realizados em 2022, com 15 trabalhadores. A Educação Permanente, a formação profissional, a integração da rede, a Saúde Mental do trabalhador e o enfrentamento das políticas de desmonte foram considerados fundamentais para o cuidado compartilhado. Mostra-se imperativo que o campo da Saúde Mental seja priorizado e não faltem recursos para que, cada vez mais, as práticas possam se orientar pelo Paradigma Psicossocial.(AU)

The conjunction of the mental health reform and health reform make Brazil a unique setting in overcoming hegemonic biomedical paradigm and in the radicality of deinstitutionalization across the territory. The aim of this study was to analyze the perceptions of primary and specialist care workers about sharing mental health care in a medium-sized municipality in the state of São Paulo. We conducted a qualitative study using the hermeneutic-dialectic method of inquiry based on data from the narratives of focus group meetings with 15 workers held in 2022. Permanent education, professional training, network integration, worker's mental health and confronting the dismantling of policies were considered essential to shared care. It is imperative that the field of mental health is prioritized and sufficient resources are made available so that practices are increasingly oriented towards the psychosocial paradigm.(AU)

La conjunción de la Reforma Psiquiátrica y de la Reforma Sanitaria hace que Brasil sea un escenario único en la superación del Paradigma Biomédico hegemónico y en la radicalidad de la desinstitucionalización en el territorio. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la percepción de los trabajadores de la Atención Básica y de la Atención Especializada sobre la compartición del cuidado en salud mental en un municipio de mediano porte del estado de São Paulo. Se constituye como una investigación cualitativa, de abordaje hermenéutico-dialéctico, cuyos datos se produjeron a partir de narrativas de grupos focales narrativos-hermenéuticos realizados en 2022 con quince trabajadores. La educación permanente, la formación profesional, la integración de la red, la salud mental del trabajador y el enfrentamiento de las políticas de desmonte se consideraron fundamentales para el cuidado compartido. Se muestra imperativo que se priorice el Campo de Salud Mental y que no falten recursos para que, cada vez más, las prácticas puedan orientarse hacia el Paradigma Psicosocial.(AU)

Geografías de prescripción y consumo de antidepresivos en servicios de salud pública de Montevideo (Uruguay) / Geographies of prescription and consumption of antidepressants in public health services in Montevideo (Uruguay)

El uso de antidepresivos está ampliamente extendido a nivel mundial y junto con las benzodiacepinas son los psicofármacos más prescritos. Son utilizados en un amplio rango de condiciones clínicas, observándose un aumento en su prescripción y consumo a nivel internacional, regional y nacional. En ese sentido, el enfoque que considera el espacio geográfico como dimensión activa en dicha problemática es de incipiente desarrollo. En el presente estudio y a partir de un diseño mixto se analizaron las dimensiones sociotécnicas que generaron geografías de prescripción y consumo de antidepresivos en servicios de salud pública de Montevideo, en usuarios mayores de 14 años, entre marzo 2018 y marzo 2019. Se identificaron espacios de la ciudad con diferentes niveles de consumo y la emergencia del antidepresivo como objeto cultural aglutinante de múltiples situaciones sociosanitarias, siendo nexo entre grupos sociales diversos y distintivo en el reconocimiento de áreas de la ciudad, en tanto problemáticas socioeconómicas y padecimientos psíquicos.

The use of antidepressants is widely spread worldwide; they are the most prescribed psychotropic drugs, together with benzodiazepines. They are used in a wide range of clinical conditions, with an increase in their prescription and use at an international, regional and national level. In that sense, the consideration of geographic space as an active dimension in this problem is an incipient development. In the present study and based on a mixed design, an analysis is presented of the sociotechnical dimensions that generated geographies of prescription and use of antidepressants in public health services of Montevideo, in users over 14 years of age, between March 2018 and March 2019. Authors identify city areas with different levels of antidepressants use and describe its emergence as a cultural object that brings together multiple socio-health situations, becoming a link between diverse social groups and distinctive in the recognition of city areas, with specific socioeconomic problems and psychological sufferings.

External urology consultation quality at a third-level public hospital in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: Patient satisfaction is the degree of conformity with the healthcare they receive. It is real evidence and one of the most important factors in determining the effectiveness and quality of healthcare systems. OBJECTIVE: To identify the quality of care in the Urology outpatient department of a third-level hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The NHS (National Health Service) 2018 quality of care questionnaire with 11 sections, 133 items, and duration of approximately 25min was randomly administered to 250 patients attending Urology outpatients at a third-level public hospital in Mexico. RESULTS: According to responses, 92% (n=230) knew the reason for the consultation. 64.8% (n=162) had a consultation with the same physician by whom they were initially seen. The longest reported hospital wait time before being seen was more than 2h in 29.6% (n=74). As for consultation time, 212 patients responded and the duration was 11-20min in 52.8% (n=112). Finally, 33.2% (n=83) considered the quality of service to be good. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the NHS 2018 survey in the Urology service at a third-level public hospital in Mexico is feasible, since we managed to obtain a significant and continuous improvement in all its indicators which is satisfactory for all.

A longitudinal analysis of the fluctuation of food stores in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Changes in food environments have the potential to affect consumption, nutritional status, and health, and understanding these changes is of utmost importance. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the fluctuation of food stores that sell fruits and vegetables over five years in the health promotion service area of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: This was an ecological study that used data from a food environment audit conducted in the realm of Brazilian PHC. Buffers of 1 mile (equivalent to 1600 m) were created around health promotion services to define food environments. All food stores and open-air food markets that sold fruits and vegetables (FV) within this buffer area were considered eligible. The data collection was performed during two periods: the baseline, in 2013, and after five years, in 2018. This study compares the fluctuation by the type of stores and according to the health vulnerability index (HVI). RESULTS: After 5 years, 35.2% of the stores were stable; 154 stores were closed, and 155 were opened. The stability was greater in low-vulnerability areas, and the fluctuation differed by type of store only for areas with high vulnerability. The number of supermarket decreased in high HVI territories; and local stores, showed greater stability when compared to specialized FV markets. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in store fluctuations according to the vulnerability of areas demonstrate the importance of food supply policies considering the local characteristics to reduce inequities of access to healthy foods.

LGBTQIA+ vs the Brazilian Unified Health System: Basic Health Unit Use and Associated Factors.

The Brazilian Unified Health System provides universal health care access without regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. We conducted a nationwide study with a cross-sectional design and intentional sampling methods to investigate factors associated with Basic Health Unit (BHU) use by the LGBTQIA+ community. Data were collected via a questionnaire available through social networks. Statistical analysis included Poisson regression with robust variance. A total of 603 LGBTQIA+ community members participated in the study, of whom 417 (69.2%) had visited a BHU in the last year. The factors "transgender woman" and "self-rated health status as very good/good/fair" increased the probability of BHU use in the last year by 10% (PR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.00-1.20) and 9% (PR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.18), respectively. "Not suffering sexual orientation-related discrimination at a BHU" and "Not suffering discrimination by a receptionist or waiting room worker" increased the probability of use by 28% (PR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.22-1.34) and 22% (PR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14-1.30), respectively. Our study supports evidence that access to primary health care services in Brazil can be influenced by the social determinants gender identity and sexual discrimination.

Percepciones y experiencias de adultos mayores sobre sexualidad y servicios de salud sexual en Colombia

Introducción: Aunque a nivel mundial se ha demostrado que la población adulta mayor mantiene una vida sexual activa, es limitada por estereotipos, cambios fisiológicos resultados del proceso de envejecimiento y la ausencia de estrategias de salud integral para la sexualidad. Objetivo: Documentar la experiencia sexual de los adultos mayores en el país y entender los motivos que promueven o limitan la búsqueda de atención en salud sexual. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo en el que se realizaron 39 entrevistas y 4 talleres virtuales con hombres y mujeres de 50 años y más en Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, sin excluir personas de otras ciudades. Resultados: Entre los principales hallazgos se evidencia que la población adulta mayor tiene valoraciones positivas frente a la sexualidad y el sexo, pero su desarrollo se ve limitado, especialmente para las mujeres, por los roles de género. La sexualidad en las personas mayores está atravesada por la educación inicial, la transformación de ideas sobre la sexualidad a lo largo de sus trayectorias de vida, las transformaciones del cuerpo, el estado de salud, las prácticas y experiencias sexuales recientes y la manera en la que se aproximan a la dimensión salud sexual con profesionales de la salud. Conclusiones: La heterogeneidad de experiencias, prácticas y valores dados a la sexualidad y al sexo en la vejez requieren de la generación de políticas y programas de atención integral basadas en investigaciones empíricas que superen las concepciones edadistas de la sexualidad. Este estudio es una contribución a la literatura local sobre sexualidad y vejez, así como al diseño de servicios de atención de salud y bienestar de acuerdo con las necesidades, identidades y circunstancias específicas de la población adulta mayor en materia de sexualidad.

Introduction: Although worldwide has been demonstrated that the older adult population maintains an active sexual life, this is limited by stereotypes, physiological changes resulting from the aging process and the absence of comprehensive health strategies for sexuality. Objective: To document the sexual experience of older adults in the country and to understand the reasons that promote or limit the search for sexual healthcare. Methodology: Qualitative study. Thirty-nine interviews and four virtual workshops were conducted with men and women 50 years of age and older in Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín, although people from other cities were not excluded. Results: Among the main findings, it is evident that this population has positive evaluations of sexuality and sex, but its development is limited, especially for women, by gender roles. Sexuality in the elderly is formed by their initial education, the transformation of ideas about sexuality throughout their life trajectories, the transformations of their bodies, their state of health, recent sexual practices and experiences, and the way in which they approach this topic with health professionals. Conclusions: The heterogeneity of experiences, practices and values given to sexuality and sex in old age require policies and programs based on empirical research that overcome the ageist conception of sexuality. This study is a contribution to the national literature on sexuality and aging, and to the design of health care and well-being services according to the specific needs, identities and circumstances of the older adult population in terms of sexuality.

Factors that Affect Performance of Clinical Breast Examination and Mammography Screening among Brazilian Women.

BACKGROUND: In the Brazilian health system, community health facilities consist of multidisciplinary teams that focus on family health, whereas health centers treat mainly illnesses of registered patients. In the present study we compared socio-economic factors and performance of mammography screening (MS) and clinical breast exam (CBE),  respectively, among women who used both types of public health service centers. METHODS: The present study included 180 women aged ≥40 years, who used different health service centers within the same municipal district. Of all 180 women, 110 (41.1%) and 70 (38.9%) used a health center and a community health facility. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of variables. RESULTS: Regression modeling indicated that women who used the community health facility, performed annual MS 9.52 (OR= 0.105; 95%CI: 0.03- 0.36) times more often (p <0.001). In this model retirement and gynecological service use ≤ each second year, increased annual MS performance 8.16 (95%CI: 1.55- 54.32) and 7.78 (95%CI: 2.54- 23.79) times (p <0.001; p <0.001). Among 113 (62.8%) women who reported strong fear of MS, the chance of its performance was 35.71 (OR= 0.028; 95%CI: 0.02- 0.32) times decreased (p= 0.05). In a second model use of gynecological service ≤ each second year, increased chance of annual CBE performance 7.92 (95%CI: 3.25- 19.29) times (p <0.001). Women who used the community health facility performed annual and bi-annual CBE 2.90 (OR= 0.345; 95%CI: 0.14- 0.86) and 2.97 (OR= 0.337; 95%CI: 0.12- 0.92) times more often, compared to women who used the health center (p =0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of MS and CBE varied both considerable among women who used different types of health service centers. Gynecological service use, fear and socioeconomic variables, additionally influenced regular performance of MS and CBE.

Examining healthcare needs and decisions to seek health services among Venezuelan migrants living in Trinidad and Tobago using Andersen's Behavioral Model.

Introduction: Beginning in 2016, Trinidad and Tobago experienced increasing flows of migrants and refugees from Venezuela. Through a Government Registration Exercise in 2019, followed by a Re-registration Exercise in 2020, migrants and refugees benefitted from access to publicly available primary care and emergency medical services. By applying Andersen's Behavioral Model for Health Service Use, our study examined the non-communicable disease care needs of migrants, and factors influencing their decision to seek public and private health services. Method: Between September and December 2020, a health questionnaire was administered via telephone to n = 250 migrants from Venezuela. Descriptive statistics summarized the constructs of Andersen's Behavioral Model. The model comprised of predisposing factors including migrants' social characteristics; enabling factors namely monthly earnings, education level and most trusted source of information on medical needs; need for care factors such as migrants self-reported health status, presence of non-communicable health conditions and having visited a doctor in the past 12 months; and the outcome variables which were migrants' decisions to seek public and private health services. Pearson χ2 tests, odds ratios and multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination examined the factors influencing a migrant's decision to seek health services. Results: Overall, 66.8% of migrants reported they would seek public health services, while 22.4% indicated they would seek private health services. Predisposing factors namely length of time residing in Trinidad and Tobago (p = 0.031) and living with family/friends (p = 0.049); the enabling factor of receiving information from publicly available sources (p = 0.037); and the need for care factor of visiting a doctor for a physical health problem (p = 0.010) were significant correlates of their decision to seek care in the public sector. Predisposing factors namely living with family/friends (p = 0.020) and the enabling factor of having difficulty accessing healthcare services (p = 0.045) were significant correlates of their decision to seek care from private providers. Discussion: Our findings demonstrated the positive association between social networks and a migrant's decision to use public and private health services, thus underscoring the importance of family and friends in facilitating health service use, promoting proper health practices and preventing diseases. Overall, the use of Andersen's Behavioral Model aided in identifying the factors associated with the use of health services by Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago. However, further studies are needed to better understand their need for ongoing care, to inform policy, and to plan targeted health interventions for addressing the gaps in health service access, barriers and use.

Ten years of a geriatric oncology service at a public university cancer centre in Brazil.

The implementation of a geriatric oncology service is challenging in both high-income and low-and-middle-income countries. The Octavio Frias de Oliveira Institute of Cancer of Sao Paulo (ICESP) is a tertiary healthcare complex of the Clinics Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School and is considered a model of excellence in oncology in Latin America. The objective of this manuscript is to describe 10 years of the geriatric oncology service at ICESP and the challenges for its implementation. We performed a narrative description of the ICESP's geriatric oncology service and a general retrospective descriptive analysis of data collected from routine structured medical records of patients referred to the service from 2011 to 2021. This article highlights the different settings in which the service operates (outpatient, pre-operative and hospital follow-up). In this period, 1,700 patients were assessed for preoperative evaluation (median age 83.9, SD 4.95), 468 patients were evaluated for therapeutic decision (median age 79.4, SD 7.38), 968 in general geriatric oncology care outpatient clinics from 2012 to 2021 (median age 78.7, SD 7.91) and 1,391 inpatient evaluations. In the past 10 years, our geriatric oncology team has grown exponentially and changed its characteristics in order to adjust them to the hospital demands, raising awareness among the oncology teams about the benefit of using geriatric assessment and promoting multidisciplinary discussions.

Moderating Effect of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use on the Association Between Sexual Risk Behavior and Perceived Risk of HIV Among Brazilian Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) with a higher perceived risk of HIV are more aware of and willing to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an effective HIV prevention strategy, but there is a lack of data on how PrEP use might moderate the relationship between sexual risk behavior and perceived risk of HIV. Moreover, most studies measure perceived risk of HIV via a single question. OBJECTIVE: We estimated the moderating effect of PrEP use on the association between sexual risk behavior and perceived risk of HIV, measured with the 8-item Perceived Risk of HIV Scale (PRHS), among Brazilian MSM. METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was completed by Brazilian Hornet app users aged ≥18 years between February and March 2020. We included data from cisgender men who reported sex with men in the previous 6 months. We evaluated the moderating effect of current PrEP use on the association between sexual risk behavior, measured via the HIV Incidence Risk Index for MSM (HIRI-MSM), and perceived risk of HIV, measured by the PRHS. Higher HIRI-MSM (range 0-45) and PRHS (range 10-40) scores indicate greater sexual behavioral risk and perceived risk of HIV, respectively. Both were standardized to z scores for use in multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS: Among 4344 cisgender MSM, 448 (10.3%) were currently taking PrEP. Current PrEP users had a higher mean HIRI-MSM score (mean 21.0, SD 9.4 vs mean 13.2, SD 8.1; P<.001) and a lower mean PRHS score (mean 24.6, SD 5.1 vs mean 25.9, SD 4.9; P<.001) compared to those not currently taking PrEP. In the multivariable model, greater HIRI-MSM scores significantly predicted increased PRHS scores (ß=.26, 95% CI 0.22-0.29; P<.001). PrEP use moderated the association between HIRI-MSM and PRHS score (interaction term ß=-.30, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.21; P<.001), such that higher HIRI-MSM score did not predict higher PRHS score among current PrEP users. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest current PrEP users have confidence in PrEP's effectiveness as an HIV prevention strategy. PrEP's effectiveness, positive psychological impact, and the frequent HIV testing and interaction with health services required of PrEP users may jointly influence the relationship between sexual risk behavior and perceived risk of HIV among PrEP users.

An evidence-based primary health care intervention to address domestic violence against women in Brazil: a mixed method evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Health systems have a critical role in a multi-sectoral response to domestic violence against women (DVAW). However, the evidence on interventions is skewed towards high income countries, and evidence based interventions are not easily transferred to low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) where significant social, cultural and economic differences exist. We evaluated feasibility and acceptability of implementation of an intervention (HERA-Healthcare Responding to Violence and Abuse) to improve the response to DVAW in two primary health care clinics (PHC) in Brazil. METHODS: The study design is a mixed method process and outcome evaluation, based on training attendance records, semi-structured interviews (with 13 Primary Health Care (PHC) providers, two clinic directors and two women who disclosed domestic violence), and identification and referral data from the Brazilian Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAN). RESULTS: HERA was feasible and acceptable to women and PHC providers, increased providers' readiness to identify DVAW and diversified referrals outside the health system. The training enhanced the confidence and skills of PHC providers to ask directly about violence and respond to women's disclosures using a women centred, gender and human rights perspective. PHC providers felt safe and supported when dealing with DVAW because HERA emphasised clear roles and collective action within the clinical team. A number of challenges affected implementation including: differential managerial support for the Núcleo de Prevenção da Violência (Violence Prevention Nucleus-NPV) relating to the allocation of resources, monitoring progress and giving feedback; a lack of higher level institutional endorsement prioritising DVAW work; staff turnover; a lack of feedback from external support services to PHC clinics regarding DVAW cases; and inconsistent practices regarding documentation of DVAW. CONCLUSION: Training should be accompanied by system-wide institutional change including active (as opposed to passive) management support, allocation of resources to support roles within the NPV, locally adapted protocols and guidelines, monitoring progress and feedback. Communication and coordination with external support services and documentation systems are crucial and need improvement. DVAW should be prioritised within leadership and governance structures, for example, by including DVAW work as a specific commissioning goal.

Describing Trends in Maternal Mortality in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2009 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality is a significant public health concern, with varying impacts across different regions in Brazil, particularly affecting women from lower-income social classes with limited access to social resources. The aim of this study is to describe the trends in maternal mortality in São Paulo, Brazil, from 2009 to 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study employed an ecological approach utilizing a time-series design to examine maternal deaths. Secondary data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Live Births Information System (SINASC) from 2009 to 2019 were utilized. The analysis included all maternal deaths among women aged 10 to 49 years residing in the state of São Paulo. Time-series data for maternal mortality ratios were constructed for the seven regions within São Paulo State. Joinpoint regression analysis was applied to characterize the maternal mortality ratio. The study estimated the annual percentage variation, the average annual percentage variation, and their respective 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In São Paulo, a total of 3075 maternal deaths were reported, resulting in a mortality ratio of 45.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. The leading causes of maternal death were eclampsia (7.13%), gestational hypertension (6.09%), and postpartum hemorrhage (5.89%). The analysis of the annual percentage change in the maternal mortality ratio for São Paulo State and its six clusters showed stationarity. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of the maternal mortality ratio in the state of São Paulo, Greater São Paulo, and Baixada Santista revealed an increase in the maternal death ratio over the studied period.

Prevalencia de infección tuberculosa latente e incidencia de viraje tuberculínico en contactos escolares mayores de 5 años en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires / Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection and incidence of tuberculin conversion among school contacts older than 5 years in the City of Buenos Aires

Introducción. La tuberculosis continúa siendo un problema frecuente en contextos de vulnerabilidad socioeconómica. El objetivo principal fue establecer la prevalencia de infección latente y viraje tuberculínico en contactos escolares de casos de tuberculosis. Población y métodos. En un área programática del sur de la ciudad, se evaluó la prevalencia de infección y viraje tuberculínico de 691 niñas, niños y adolescentes utilizando la prueba cutánea de tuberculina. Se investigó la asociación entre pérdida de seguimiento por parte del equipo de salud y características demográficas, escolares y asistencia inicial, y se describió el grado de adherencia cuando la quimioprofilaxis con isoniacida fue indicada. Resultados. Según las definiciones consideradas, la prevalencia de infección latente fue entre el 3,4 % (IC95 %: 2,3-5,2) y el 11,6 % (IC95 %: 9,3-14,4) de los 610 contactos con al menos una prueba cutánea aplicada. La incidencia de viraje tuberculínico se encontró entre el 0,3 % y el 6,8 % de los 294 evaluados. La edad mayor de 18 años, la mayor prevalencia de necesidades básicas insatisfechas en la comuna escolar, la pertenencia al turno escolar vespertino, la negatividad en la baciloscopia del caso índice y la ausencia de aplicación de la prueba cutánea inicial se asociaron con pérdida de seguimiento del contacto. Conclusiones. La incidencia de viraje tuberculínico en contactos escolares fue baja. La adherencia a isoniacida continúa siendo limitada. Se identificaron factores asociados con la pérdida de seguimiento de contactos que podrían orientar estrategias necesarias para mejorar este proceso.

Introduction. Tuberculosis continues to be a common problem in settings of socioeconomic vulnerability. Our primary objective was to establish the prevalence of latent infection and tuberculin conversion among school contacts of tuberculosis cases. Population and methods. In a programmatic area in the south of the City of Buenos Aires, the prevalence of latent infection and tuberculin conversion was assessed in 691 children and adolescents using the tuberculin skin test. The association between loss to follow-up by the health care team and the demographic, school, and baseline care characteristics was studied, and the level of adherence when isoniazid chemoprophylaxis was indicated was described. Results. According to established definitions, the prevalence of latent infection was between 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3­5.2) and 11.6% (95% CI: 9.3­14.4) in the 610 contacts with at least one skin test. The incidence of tuberculin conversion was between 0.3% and 6.8% in the 294 assessed participants. Age older than 18 years, a higher prevalence of unmet basic needs in the school district, attending the afternoon school shift, negative sputum smear results in the index case, and absence of baseline skin test were associated with contact lost to follow-up. Conclusions. The incidence of tuberculin conversion among school contacts was low. Adherence to isoniazid treatment remains limited. Factors associated with loss of contact tracing were identified, which may guide strategies necessary to improve this process.