Individual, socioeconomic and healthcare access factors influencing the delays in leprosy presentation, diagnosis and treatment: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the factors influencing the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of leprosy in primary healthcare. METHODS: Qualitative research was conducted on patients undergoing treatment in a priority hyperendemic region for leprosy control in northeastern Brazil. Interviews were conducted between September and December 2020 at primary healthcare centers. Data were analysed based on the basic interpretive qualitative structure according to Andersen and Newman's model of healthcare utilisation. RESULTS: Knowledge of leprosy symptoms influenced patients' search for a diagnosis. Unfavorable socioeconomic conditions experienced by patients made diagnosis and treatment difficult. Incorrect evaluations by health professionals caused difficulties and delays in obtaining a diagnosis of leprosy. Perceptions about the disease, such as non-acceptance of the disease and the adverse effects of the medications, affected treatment seeking and treatment continuity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with leprosy faced delays and healthcare access barriers related to knowledge of the disease, socioeconomic conditions and the structure of healthcare services, which must be considered when creating care plans, surveillance and control actions against leprosy. Appropriate interventions are necessary to reduce delays and better control the disease.

Spatiotemporal risk assessment and COVID-19 trend estimation in a federative unit in northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide, causing a high burden of morbidity and mortality, and has affected the various health service systems in the world, demanding disease monitoring and control strategies. The objective of this study was to identify risk areas using spatiotemporal models and determine the COVID-19 time trend in a federative unit of northeastern Brazil. METHODS: An ecological study using spatial analysis techniques and time series was carried out in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. All new cases of COVID-19 registered in the state from March 2020 to August 2021 were included. Incidence rates were calculated and spatially distributed by area, while the spatiotemporal risk territories were identified using scan statistics. The COVID-19 time trend was determined using Prais-Winsten regressions. RESULTS: Four spatiotemporal clusters with high relative risks for the disease were identified in seven health regions located in the southwest/northwest, north and east of Maranhão. The COVID-19 time trend was stable during the analysed period, with higher rates in the regions of Santa Inês in the first and second waves and Balsas in the second wave. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneously distributed spatiotemporal risk areas and the stable COVID-19 time trend can assist in the management of health systems and services, facilitating the planning and implementation of actions toward the mitigation, surveillance and control of the disease.

Óbito neonatal em maternidade pública de referência: fatores associados / Neonatal death in public maternity of reference: associated factors / Muerte neonatal en maternidad pública de referencia: factores asociados

Objetivo: investigar os fatores maternos e neonatais associados aos óbitos neonatais em maternidade de referência no sudoeste maranhense. Metodologia: estudo retrospectivo observacional, quantitativo, com análise documental em prontuários. Brasil. Selecionaram-se prontuários de 677 neonatos nascidos no próprio estabelecimento hospitalar no ano de 2016. Resultados: dos 677 prontuários de recém-nascidos admitidos, ocorreram 14,2% de óbitos e 85,8% de altas, a prematuridade foi o diagnóstico entre 42,4%, seguido de 41,9% de distúrbios respiratórios. A análise ajustada do modelo apontou que o óbito neonatal esteve associado a estatura <35cm (OR: 38,40; p<0,001) e de 35- 39cm (OR: 6,65, p<0,002), perímetro cefálico <22 cm (OR: 38,58; p<0,002) e Apgar no 5º. minuto <3 (OR: 5,91; p<0,001). Conclusão: a prematuridade e os distúrbios respiratórios foram as principais causas de internação. Há necessidade de rever o acesso aos serviços de saúde, assim como a implementação de intervenções qualificadas no pré-natal, parto e nascimento

Objective: to investigate maternal and neonatal factors associated with neonatal deaths in a reference maternity hospital in southwestern Maranhão. Method: quantitative, observational retrospective study, with documental analysis in medical records. Medical records of 677 neonates born in a hospital in southwest Maranhão, in 2016 were selected. Results: of the 677 medical records of admitted newborns, there were 14.2% of deaths and 85.8% of discharges, prematurity was the diagnosis among 42.4%, followed by 41.9% of respiratory disorders. The adjusted analysis of the model showed that neonatal death was associated with height <35cm (OR: 38.40; p<0.001) and 35-39cm (OR: 6.65, p<0.002), head circumference <22 cm (OR: 38.58; p<0.002) and Apgar in the 5th. minute <3 (OR: 5.91; p<0.001). Results: Of the 677 medical records of newborns admitted, there were 96 deaths (14.2%) and 581 discharges (85.8%), with prematurity being the most frequent diagnosis 287 (42.4%), followed by respiratory disorders 284 (41 , 9%). The adjusted analysis of the model showed that neonatal death was associated with height <35cm (OR: 38.40; p <0.001), height of 35-39cm (OR: 6.65, p <0.002), head circumference <22 cm (OR: 38.58; p <0.002) and Apgar in the 5th. minute <3 (OR: 5.91; p <0.001). Conclusion: prematurity and respiratory disorders were the main causes of hospitalization. There is a need to review access to health services, as well as the implementation of qualified interventions in prenatal care, childbirth and birth

Access to Health Services and Assistance Offered to the Afro-Descendant Communities in Northern Brazil: A Qualitative Study.

The remnants of quilombos, individuals of African descent, have faced several barriers throughout its history, either due to prejudice imposed by society, or the non-fulfillment of their rights guaranteed in the 1988 Constitution, such as access to health services. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the health care offered to quilombo communities in the northern region of Tocantins. This is an exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach, including field research and focus group, carried out with 58 quilombo remnants people from communities in the northern region of Tocantins. Data collection was carried out between from October 2017 to July 2018, through semi-structured interviews. We found that these communities have limited access to health services, in addition to a negative perception of the assistance offered to the health of their population and the commitment of managers. Therefore, access to health and assistance received by the studied communities required to be prioritized since the care provided is not unique and has not met the health demands and needs of the remaining quilombos in northern Tocantins, Brazil.

Prevenção do câncer de mama em mulheres atendidas em Unidade Básica de Saúde / Breast cancer prevention in women treated at Primary Care Unit

Descrever o perfil de mulheres atendidas em Unidade Básica de Saúde e identificar as atitudes relacionadas à detecção precoce do câncer de mama. Métodos: pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, realizada com 40 mulheres com idade acima de 20 anos, após a consulta de enfermagem. Resultados: evidenciaram que parcela das participantes possuía fatores de risco para o câncer de mama, principalmente menarca antes dos 12 anos 57% (n=23), em 70% (n=28) as mamas não foram examinadas no momento da consulta e 57,5% (n=23) informaram nunca o ter realizado. Sobre a realização do autoexame, 80% (n=32) das mulheres disseram saber fazer, dessas 65,5% afirmaram realizá-lo mensalmente, 12,5% nunca o ter realizado e 23% das mulheres acima de 40 anos não realizaram mamografia. Conclusão: destaca-se a necessidade do desenvolvimento de intervenções educativas efetivas direcionadas aos fatores de riscos e detecção precoce do câncer de mama nos serviços de saúde...