Improved management of cystitis in primary care following the implementation of a simple multifaceted intervention / Mejora en el manejo de las cistitis en atención primaria después de la implementación de una intervención multimodal simple

Objective: We assessed the impact of the implementation of a simple multifaceted intervention aimed at improving management of cystitis in primary care. Design: Quality control before and after study. Site: Primary care centres in Barcelona city provided by the Catalonian Institute of Health. Participants: The multifaceted intervention consisted of (1) creation of a group with a leader in each of the primary care centres, out of hours services, sexual and reproductive centres, and home visit service, (2) session on management of cystitis in each centre, (3) result feedback for professionals, and (4) provision of infographics for professionals and patients with urinary tract infections. Interventions started in November 2020 and ended in the summer of 2021. Main measurements: Variation in the prescription of first-line antibiotics, usage of antibiotics, and request for urine cultures before and after this intervention. Results: Training sessions took place in 93% of the centres. The use of first-line therapies cystitis increased by 6.4% after the intervention (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7–7.1%). The use of nitrofurantoin in recurrent cystitis increased, mainly in out of hours service (8.7%; 95% CI, 5.2–12.2%). Urine cultures were more frequently requested after the intervention for recurrent cystitis in both primary care centres and out of hours services, with a 7.2% increase [95% CI, 5.9–8.5%), but also for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (3.1%; 95% CI, 1.8–4.4%). Conclusions: A low-intensity multifaceted intervention on management of cystitis, with strong institutional support, resulted in a better choice of antibiotic in antibiotic prescribing, but the intervention had less impact on the adequacy of urine cultures.(AU)

Objetivo: Evaluamos el impacto de una intervención multimodal en la mejora del manejo de las cistitis en atención primaria. Diseño: Estudio de calidad antes-después. Emplazamiento: Centros de atención primaria de la ciudad de Barcelona proporcionados por el Institut Català de la Salut. Participantes: La intervención multimodal consistió en: (1) creación de un grupo de trabajo con líderes en cada uno de los equipos de atención primaria, servicios de urgencias, centros de atención sexual y reproductiva y servicio de atención domiciliaria, (2) sesión formativa sobre el manejo de las infecciones del tracto urinario en cada centro, (3) retorno de resultados a profesionales, y (4) difusión de infografías a profesionales y pacientes. Las intervenciones comenzaron en noviembre de 2020 y finalizaron en verano de 2021. Mediciones principales: Variación en la prescripción de antibióticos de primera línea, uso de antibióticos y solicitud de urocultivos antes y después de esta intervención. Resultados: Las sesiones de formación se realizaron en el 93% de los centros. La selección de fármacos de primera línea en cistitis aumentó en un 6,4% después de la intervención (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 5,7-7,1%). El uso de nitrofurantoína en cistitis recurrente aumentó, principalmente en servicios de urgencias (8,7%; IC 95%: 5,2-12,2%). Las solicitudes de urocultivos aumentaron después de la intervención en equipos de atención primaria y servicios de urgencias en cistitis recurrentes (7,2%; IC 95%: 5,9-8,5%), pero también en cistitis simples (3,1%; IC 95%: 1,8-4,4%). Conclusiones: Una intervención multimodal de baja intensidad sobre el manejo de las cistitis junto con el apoyo institucional explícito mejoró claramente la selección de antibióticos, pero tuvo menos impacto en la adecuación de los urocultivos.(AU)

Improved management of cystitis in primary care following the implementation of a simple multifaceted intervention.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of the implementation of a simple multifaceted intervention aimed at improving management of cystitis in primary care. DESIGN: Quality control before and after study. SITE: Primary care centres in Barcelona city provided by the Catalonian Institute of Health. PARTICIPANTS: The multifaceted intervention consisted of (1) creation of a group with a leader in each of the primary care centres, out of hours services, sexual and reproductive centres, and home visit service, (2) session on management of cystitis in each centre, (3) result feedback for professionals, and (4) provision of infographics for professionals and patients with urinary tract infections. Interventions started in November 2020 and ended in the summer of 2021. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Variation in the prescription of first-line antibiotics, usage of antibiotics, and request for urine cultures before and after this intervention. RESULTS: Training sessions took place in 93% of the centres. The use of first-line therapies cystitis increased by 6.4% after the intervention (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7-7.1%). The use of nitrofurantoin in recurrent cystitis increased, mainly in out of hours service (8.7%; 95% CI, 5.2-12.2%). Urine cultures were more frequently requested after the intervention for recurrent cystitis in both primary care centres and out of hours services, with a 7.2% increase [95% CI, 5.9-8.5%), but also for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (3.1%; 95% CI, 1.8-4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: A low-intensity multifaceted intervention on management of cystitis, with strong institutional support, resulted in a better choice of antibiotic in antibiotic prescribing, but the intervention had less impact on the adequacy of urine cultures.

A cohort study of the effects of older adult care dependence upon household economic functioning, in Peru, Mexico and China.

BACKGROUND: While links between disability and poverty are well established, there have been few longitudinal studies to clarify direction of causality, particularly among older adults in low and middle income countries. We aimed to study the effect of care dependence among older adult residents on the economic functioning of their households, in catchment area survey sites in Peru, Mexico and China. METHODS: Households were classified from the evolution of the needs for care of older residents, over two previous community surveys, as 'incident care', 'chronic care' or 'no care', and followed up three years later to ascertain economic outcomes (household income, consumption, economic strain, satisfaction with economic circumstances, healthcare expenditure and residents giving up work or education to care). RESULTS: Household income did not differ between household groups. However, income from paid work (Pooled Count Ratio pCR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78-1.00) and government transfers (pCR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93) were lower in care households. Consumption was 12% lower in chronic care households (pCR 0.88, 95% CI 0.77-0.99). Household healthcare expenditure was higher (pCR 1.55, 95% CI 1.26-1.90), and catastrophic healthcare spending more common (pRR 1.64, 95% CI 1.64-2.22) in care households. CONCLUSIONS: While endogeneity cannot be confidently excluded as an explanation for the findings, this study indicates that older people's needs for care have a discernable impact on household economics, controlling for baseline indicators of long-term economic status. Although living, typically, in multigenerational family units, older people have not featured prominently in global health and development agendas. Population ageing will rapidly increase the number of households where older people live, and their societal significance. Building sustainable long-term care systems for the future will require some combination of improved income security in old age; incentivisation of informal care through compensation for direct and opportunity costs; and development of community care services to support, and, where necessary, supplement or substitute the central role of informal caregivers.

A journey without maps-Understanding the costs of caring for dependent older people in Nigeria, China, Mexico and Peru.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Populations in Latin America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are rapidly ageing. The extent to which traditional systems of family support and security can manage the care of increased numbers of older people with chronic health problems is unclear. Our aim was to explore the social and economic effects of caring for an older dependent person, including insight into pathways to economic vulnerability. DESIGN & METHODS: We carried out a series of household case studies across urban and rural sites in Peru, Mexico, China and Nigeria (n = 24), as part of a cross-sectional study, nested within the 10/66 Dementia Research Group cohort. Case studies consisted of in-depth narrative style interviews (n = 60) with multiple family members, including the older dependent person. RESULTS: Governments were largely uninvolved in the care and support of older dependent people, leaving families to negotiate a 'journey without maps'. Women were de facto caregivers but the traditional role of female relative as caregiver was beginning to be contested. Household composition was flexible and responsive to changing needs of multiple generations but family finances were stretched. IMPLICATIONS: Governments are lagging behind sociodemographic and social change. There is an urgent need for policy frameworks to support and supplement inputs from families. These should include community-based and residential care services, disability benefits and carers allowances. Further enhancement of health insurance schemes and scale-up of social pensions are an important component of bolstering the security of dependent older people and supporting their continued social and economic participation.

[Detection of human bocavirus in children from Tucuman and Santa Fe, Argentina]. / Detección de bocavirus humano en la población infantil de Tucumán y Santa Fe, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) remain without etiologic diagnosis, reason why new pathogens are investigated continuously. Human bocavirus (HBoV) was discovered in 2005, as a new member of Parvoviridae family and proposed to cause ARTI. AIM: To know the prevalence of HBoV among pediatric populations hospitalized for ARTI in two provinces of Argentina: Santa Fe and Tucuman; and to describe epidemiological and clinical aspects associated to its detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied nasopharyn-geal aspirates of patients younger than 5 years old that were hospitalized during 2013 due ARTI. HBoV DNA was assayed using PCR described by Allander et al. Traditional virnses were studied by immunofluorescence. Personal, clinical and epidemiological data were collected in a standardized form. RESULTS: The HBoV was detected in 7% of the samples and was prevalent in spring and summer and in children younger of 2 years old. Other respiratory viruses were detected in 22% of HBoV positive samples. DISCUSSION: We detected HBoV in these two provinces of Argentina. Further studies should be performed to determine if it's a recent infection or prolonged viral shedding.

Detección de bocavirus humano en la población infantil de Tucumán y Santa Fe, Argentina / Detection of human bocavirus in children from Tucuman and Santa Fe, Argentina

Background: A large proportion of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) remain without etiologic diagnosis, reason why new pathogens are investigated continuously. Human bocavirus (HBoV) was discovered in 2005, as a new member of Parvoviridae family and proposed to cause ARTI. Aim: To know the prevalence of HBoV among pediatric populations hospitalized for ARTI in two provinces of Argentina: Santa Fe and Tucuman; and to describe epidemiological and clinical aspects associated to its detection. Materials and Methods: We studied nasopharyn-geal aspirates of patients younger than 5 years old that were hospitalized during 2013 due ARTI. HBoV DNA was assayed using PCR described by Allander et al. Traditional virnses were studied by immunofluorescence. Personal, clinical and epidemiological data were collected in a standardized form. Results: The HBoV was detected in 7% of the samples and was prevalent in spring and summer and in children younger of 2 years old. Other respiratory viruses were detected in 22% of HBoV positive samples. Discussion: We detected HBoV in these two provinces of Argentina. Further studies should be performed to determine if it’s a recent infection or prolonged viral shedding.

Introducción: Un alto porcentaje de las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA) permanece sin diagnostico etiológico, por lo cual se investigan nuevos patógenos continuamente. Bocavirus humano (HBoV) fue descubierto en 2005, como un nuevo miembro de la familia Parvoviridae y propuesto como causante de IRA. Objetivos: Investigar la prevalencia de HBoV en niños bajo 5 años de edad, hospitalizados por IRA en dos provincias de Argentina: Santa Fe y Tucumán y describir aspectos epidemiológicos y clínicos asociados a su detección. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron retrospectivamente los aspirados nasofaríngeos (ANF) de pacientes bajo 5 años de edad, con diagnóstico de IRA, hospitalizados durante el año 2013. La presencia de HBoV se detectó mediante la RPC de punto final descripta por Allander y cols. Los virus tradicionales se estudiaron mediante inmunofluorescencia. Datos personales, clínicos y epidemiológicos se recolectaron en una planilla estandarizada. Resultados: HBoV fue detectado en 7% de las muestras con prevalencia en primavera y verano; y principalmente en pacientes bajo 2 años de edad. Se registró co-detecciones en 22% de los casos. Discusión: Hemos detectado HBoV en estas dos provincias de Argentina; estudios posteriores deberán efectuarse para determinar si se trata de una infección reciente o una excreción prolongada del virus.

The economic status of older people's households in urban and rural settings in Peru, Mexico and China: a 10/66 INDEP study cross-sectional survey.

Few data are available from middle income countries regarding economic circumstances of households in which older people live. Many such settings have experienced rapid demographic, social and economic change, alongside increasing pension coverage. Population-based household surveys in rural and urban catchment areas in Peru, Mexico and China. Participating households were selected from all households with older residents. Descriptive analyses were weighted back for sampling fractions and non-response. Household income and consumption were estimated from a household key informant interview. 877 Household interviews (3177 residents). Response rate 68 %. Household income and consumption correlated plausibly with other economic wellbeing indicators. Household Incomes varied considerably within and between sites. While multigenerational households were the norm, older resident's incomes accounted for a high proportion of household income, and older people were particularly likely to pool income. Differences in the coverage and value of pensions were a major source of variation in household income among sites. There was a small, consistent inverse association between household pension income and labour force participation of younger adult co-residents. The effect of pension income on older adults' labour force participation was less clear-cut. Historical linkage of social protection to formal employment may have contributed to profound late-life socioeconomic inequalities. Strategies to formalise the informal economy, alongside increases in the coverage and value of non-contributory pensions and transfers would help to address this problem.

Exploring the economic and social effects of care dependence in later life: protocol for the 10/66 research group INDEP study.

BACKGROUND: In low or middle income countries chronic diseases are rapidly becoming the main cause of disease burden. However, the main focus of health policymakers has been on preventing death from cancer and heart disease, with very little attention to the growing problem of long-term needs for care (dependence). Numbers of dependent older people are set to quadruple by 2050. The economic impact of providing long-term care is likely to be substantial. METHODS/DESIGN: The study uses mixed methods and draws on and extends the population-based surveys conducted by the 10/66 Dementia Research Group. We focus on two countries in Latin America (Peru and Mexico), China and Nigeria. The surveys comprised baseline surveys of health, socioeconomic circumstances and care arrangements, repeated three to four years later. We are going back to these households to make a detailed assessment of the overall economic status and the use of health services by all family members. We will compare households where: a) an older resident became dependent between baseline and follow-up (incident care), b) one or more older people were dependent at both time points (chronic care), b) c) no older residents had needs for care (control households) for household income, consumption, healthcare expenditure and economic strain. In each of the four countries we are carrying out six detailed household 'case studies' to explore in more depth the economic impacts of dependence, and the social relations between household members and others in their network. DISCUSSION: The INDEP study will provide a detailed examination of the economic and social effects of care dependence in low and middle income settings. As the proportion of older people with needs for care rises rapidly in these countries, this neglected policy area is likely to become increasingly salient for families, communities and policymakers alike. Our detailed multilevel plans for dissemination will ensure that the study helps to put this important issue on the agenda for the international and national media, the public and researchers.

El enfoque de competencias y el currículum del bachillerato en México / O enfoque de competências e o currículo na escola secundária no México / The approach of competences and high-school curriculum in Mexico

Con la presente investigación tenemos como propósito el estudio del currículo por competencias en el Bachillerato General por Competencias (BGC) de la Universidad de Guadalajara (UdeG). Ubicamos la investigación, que es de corte cualitativo, en el contexto educativo mexicano, y utilizamos como método de recolección de datos la entrevista de historia oral temática. La pregunta de investigación a la que damos respuesta es: ¿Cómo se desarrolla el Currículum del Bachillerato General por Competencias desde la visión de las personas involucradas en la práctica educativa? En lo general podemos afirmar que este proceso de cambio curricular demanda una postura activa de los estudiantes y las estudiantes en su propio proceso de aprendizaje y de los profesores y profesoras como gestores del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje.

O objectivo da pesquisa apresentada é o estudo do currículo por competências no Bacharelado Geral por Competências (BCG) da Universidade de Guadalajara (UdeG). O inquérito, de abordagem qualitativa, situa-se no contexto educativo mexicano e usa como método de coleta de dados a entrevista de “história oral temática”. A pergunta à qual é dada resposta é: como é que é desenvolvido o Currículo do Bacharelado Geral por Competências do ponto de vista das pessoas envolvidas na prática educacional? Em geral, pode se dizer que este processo de mudança no currículo requer uma atitude ativa dos alunos no seu próprio processo de aprendizagem e dos professores como os gestores do processo ensino-aprendizado.

The purpose of this research is the study of the application of the high-school academic program based on competences at General Baccalaureate by Competences - “Bachillerato General por Competencias” (BGC) - at the Universidad de Guadalajara (UdeG). This qualitative research, located within the context of education in Mexico, uses oral thematic narration interview, “la entrevista de historia oral temática”, as the method of data recollection. The research question, answered in this work is “how to apply the academic program based on competences from the point of view of persons involved in teaching process”? In general, it is possible to affirm that the change toward the academic program based on competences requires an active involvement of the students in their own learning process and active involvement of the teachers in the teaching-learning process.