Provider and Caregiver Perspectives on Telehealth Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: A Multimethod DBPNet Study Exploring Equity.

BACKGROUND: Telehealth uptake increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, including for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment by developmental-behavioral pediatric (DBP) clinicians. However, little is known about the acceptability of telehealth or its impact on equity in DBP care. OBJECTIVE: Engage providers and caregivers to glean their perspectives on the use of telehealth for ASD assessment in young children, exploring acceptability, benefits, concerns, and its potential role in ameliorating or exacerbating disparities in access to and quality of DBP care. METHODS: This multimethod study used surveys and semistructured interviews to describe provider and family perspectives around the use of telehealth in DBP evaluation of children younger than 5 years with possible ASD between 3/2020 and 12/2021. Surveys were completed by 13 DBP clinicians and 22 caregivers. Semistructured interviews with 12 DBP clinicians and 14 caregivers were conducted, transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Acceptance of and satisfaction with telehealth for ASD assessments in DBP were high for clinicians and most caregivers. Pros and cons concerning assessment quality and access to care were noted. Providers raised concerns about equity of telehealth access, particularly for families with a preferred language other than English. CONCLUSION: This study's results can inform the adoption of telehealth in DBP in an equitable manner beyond the pandemic. DBP providers and families desire the ability to choose telehealth care for different assessment components. Unique factors related to performing observational assessments of young children with developmental and behavioral concerns make telehealth particularly well-suited for DBP care.

Caracterización del Comportamiento Sexual y Reproductivo y Acceso A los Servicios de Salud, de los Estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad de Cuenca / Characterization of Sexual and Reproductive Behavior and Access to Health Services, of the Students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Cuenca

ANTECEDENTES: La población universitaria es principal-mente joven y por lo tanto expuesta a factores que puede generar efectos adversos en salud sexual y re-productiva, que conllevan a un bajo rendimiento académico e inclusive a la deserción estudiantil. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar el comportamiento sexual y re-productivo y las necesidades en salud de los en estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad de Cuenca. METODOLOGÍA: Tipo de estudio descriptivo. Universo: 3 265 estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad de Cuenca, en el período lectivo septiembre 2014- Febrero 2015. Muestra: fue aleatorizada por conglomerados (carrera y cursos) en las tres escue-las de la facultad de Ciencias Médicas. RESULTADOS: De los estudiantes encuestados, el 44.7% fueron de la escuela de medicina de 27.7% de enfermería, 27.7% tecnología médica; 68.6% mujeres y 31.4% varones, con una edad media de 21 años para ambos grupos; la mayoría son solteros 87.7%, mestizos 94.1% y heterosexuales 97.2%, que residen en zona urbana 81.5%. El 45.7% de las mujeres y el 70.1% de los varones son sexualmente activos, 15% son padres de familia, el 81,6% ha usado un método anticonceptivo MAC, sin embargo el uso consistente es de 55.1%. 66.2% de los encuestados ha acudido a un médico el último año; el 77.3% maneja suficiente información para la prevención de un embarazo y el 79.7% para la prevención de ITS. CONCLUSIONES: Pese a que los estudiantes tienen in-formación en sexualidad y acceden a los servicios de salud, los efectos adversos en salud sexual y reproduc-tiva son identificados como un problema que conlleva a deserción estudiantil y bajo rendimiento académico. Las principales soluciones para combatir los efectos adversos, incluyen: mejorar la calidad de información, fortalecer el acceso a servicios integrales de salud, generar espacios saludables.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize sexual and reproductive be-havior and health needs of students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Cuenca. METHOD: descriptive study type. Universe: 3265 students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Cuenca, in the academic year in September 2014 in February 2015. Sample: was randomized by cluster (ca-reer and courses) in the three schools of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. RESULTS: Of all the surveyed students, 44.7% were from medical school, nursing 27.7%, 27.7% medical technology; 68.6% female and 31.4% male, with a mean age of 21 years; most are unmarried 87.7%, 94.1% are heterosexual, mestizos 97.2% residing in urban areas 81.5%. 45.7% of the women and 70.1% of males are sexually active, 15% are parents, 81.6% have used a contraceptive, however the consistent use of contra-ceptives is 55.1%. 66.2% of respondents have visited a doctor last year; 77.3% handle sufficient information for the prevention of pregnancy and 79.7% for STD prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Although students have information on sexuality and access to health services, adverse effects on sexual and reproductive health are identified as a problem that leads to student dropout and low aca-demic performance. The main solutions to combat the adverse effects include: improving the quality of infor-mation, enhance access to comprehensive health ser-vices, generating healthy spaces.

Comparing breast feeding practices in baby friendly and non-accredited hospitals in Salvador, Bahia / Comparação das práticas de amamentação em hospitais IHAC e não credenciados em Salvador, Bahia

OBJECTIVES: to compare compliance with Steps 4 to 10 of The Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in two hospitals accredited by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI group) with two not yet accredited hospitals in Salvador. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 women in BFHI-accredited hospitals and 103 women in non-BFHI-accredited hospitals by collecting data on their obstetric history, any breast feeding counseling received during antenatal care, and data on delivery and hospitalization. Data were obtained by applying questionnaires and reviewing patients' medical charts. The chi-square test was used for bivariate variables and Student's t test for continuous variables. RESULTS: statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the BFHI-accredited group and the non-BFHI group with respect to steps 5 (77 percent vs 35.9 percent), 6 (81 percent vs 31 percent), 8 (77 percent vs 52.4 percent), and 9 (100 percent vs 94.2 percent). No differences were found between the two groups with respect to steps 4, 7 or 10. Satisfactory compliance with the requirements of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in BFHIaccredited hospitals was found only with respect to steps 6, 7 and 9. CONCLUSIONS: these results highlight the benefits of BFHI accreditation but emphasize the need for continuous and systematic evaluation in order to promote breastfeeding and provide support in BFHIaccredited maternity hospitals.

OBJETIVOS: comparar o cumprimento dos Passos de 4 a 10 dos Dez Passos para o Sucesso do Aleitamento Materno nos hospitais credenciados pela Iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança (grupo IHAC) em relação a hospitais não credenciados em Salvador. MÉTODOS: um estudo de corte transversal foi conduzido com 100 mulheres no grupo IHAC e 103 mulheres no grupo não-IHAC através de entrevista abordando história obstétrica, orientações sobre aleitamento materno durante o pré-natal, informações sobre o parto e internamento. A coleta de dados foi realizada através da aplicação de questionários e pesquisa de prontuários. O teste do quiquadrado foi realizado para variáveis dicotômicas e o t de Student para variáveis contínuas. RESULTADOS: diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) foi encontrada entre os grupos IHAC e não-IHAC na avaliação dos passos 5 (77 por cento vs 35,9 por cento), 6 (81 por cento vs 31 por cento), 8 (77 por cento vs 52,4 por cento), e 9 (100 por cento vs 94,2 por cento). Não houve diferença entre os dois grupos na avaliação dos passos 4, 7 ou 10. O cumprimento satisfatório nos hospitais do grupo IHAC foi encontrado na avaliação dos Passos 6, 7 e 9. CONCLUSÕES: os resultados evidenciam os benefícios do credenciamento na IHAC, mas enfatiza a necessidade de avaliação contínua e sistemática da promoção e suporte ao aleitamento materno nos hospitais credenciados pela IHAC.

Avaliação da promoção do aleitamento materno em Hospitais Amigos da Criança / Evaluation of breastfeeding promotion in Baby-Friendly Hospitals

OBJETIVO:Avaliar o cumprimento dos Passos 4 a 10 dentre os Dez Passos para o Sucesso do Aleitamento Materno, preconizados pela Iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança (IHAC), criada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo de corte transversal. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 100 puérperas nos dois hospitais credenciados pela IHAC em Salvador. Não foram incluídas mães ou recém-nascidos que não poderiam oferecer ou receber aleitamento materno exclusivo, respectivamente.Questionou-se sobre história obstétrica, aleitamento materno anterior, atendimento pré-natal e aspectos relacionados aos Passos Para o Sucesso do Aleitamento Materno. As questões foram elaboradas de acordo com os Critérios Globais para a IHAC. No mínimo 80 por cento das mães deveriam responder de forma satisfatória às perguntas correspondentes a cada passo para que ele fosse considerado como cumprido. Foi feita descrição de frequências para avaliar as respostas. RESULTADOS: O cumprimento foi insatisfatório para o Passo 4 (suporte ao aleitamento materno após o parto - 58 por cento), Passo 5 (aleitamento exclusivo durante a internação - 77 por cento) e Passo 10 (encaminhamento para grupo de suporte ao aleitamento materno - 5 por cento). Outros passos demonstraram bons resultados: Passo 6 (oferta de substitutos do leite materno - 19 por cento), Passo 7 (prática do alojamento conjunto - 91 por cento) e Passo 9 (não uso de chupetas e mamadeiras - 100 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Houve boa aderência a alguns aspectos dos Critérios Globais da IHAC. Evidencia-se, no entanto, a necessidade de se ampliarem as discussões sobre os critérios para manter o título de "Hospital Amigo da Criança", uma vez que os resultados foram insatisfatórios em relação aos Passos 4, 5 e 10.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the compliance to steps 4 to 10 of the Ten Steps Program to Successful Breastfeeding recommended by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), created by World Health Organization (WHO). METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study of 100 mothers in the immediate post-partum period admitted to both BFHI accredited hospitals in Salvador (Northeast Brazil). Newborns that could not be exclusively breastfed were not included. The mothers were questioned about obstetric history, previous breastfeeding, prenatal care, and aspects related to The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Interviewers used a questionnaire based on the BFHI Global Criteria. At least 80 percent of the mothers had to satisfactorily answer the questions related to each step in order to consider them complied. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the answers. RESULTS: The compliance was unsatisfactory for Step 4 (support to breastfeeding initiation immediately after birth - 58 percent), Step 5 (exclusive breastfeeding during hospitalization - 77 percent), and Step 10 (referral of mothers to a breastfeeding support group following discharge from hospital - 5 percent). Other steps showed a satisfactory result: Step 6 (offer of formula - 19 percent), Step 7 (practice of rooming-in - 91 percent) and Step 9 (no pacifiers and bottles use - 100 percent). CONCLUSIONS: A satisfactory compliance with some aspects of the BFHI Global Criteria was noted, but more discussions about strategies to keep the title of "Baby Friendly Hospital" are needed, since the compliance was poor regarding Steps 4, 5 and 10.