[Barriers and facilitators in accessing and using primary health care centers for people experiencing homelessness]. / Barreras y facilitadores en el acceso y la utilización de los centros de atención primaria para las personas en situación de sinhogarismo.

OBJECTIVE: To identify barriers and facilitators for the access and use of primary care centers for people experiencing homelessness. DESIGN: Qualitative study, phenomenological theoretical-methodological approach. Between May 19 and July 27, 2023. LOCATION: Besòs Primary Health Care Center and Gregal social dining (Besòs and Maresme neighborhood, Barcelona). PARTICIPANTS: People experiencing homelessness attending the Gregal social dining and professionals from the Besòs Primary Health Care Center. METHOD: Theoretical purposive sampling. Individual and group interviews and open non-participant observation. Thematic content analysis, triangulation by independent analysis of three members of the research team and triangulation of methods. Discourse saturation was achieved through variability of discourse and techniques. RESULTS: Eleven individual interviews, three group interviews and two observations. Different barriers and facilitators were identified. These were classified into five categories: (1)concept and identification of people experiencing homelessness; (2)personal factors of people experiencing homelessness; (3)behaviors and attitudes of professionals; (4)structural factors related to health system regulation, anf (5)internal organizational factors of primary health care centers. CONCLUSIONS: People experiencing homelessness face multiple barriers to access primary health care, although there are also facilitators such as trusting relationships and multidisciplinary and intersectoral work that can be enhanced from primary health care centers to contribute to health equity.

Characteristics of Homeless Temporarily-Housed in Project RoomKey During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: People experiencing unsheltered homelessness (PEUH) have higher disease burden yet limited access to healthcare. COVID-19 introduced even greater risk for PEUH aged 65+ years with an underlying chronic health condition and were temporarily housed in hotels/motels for Project RoomKey (PRK). This study aimed to characterize a PRK cohort who received primary care from a street medicine program. METHODS: This observational case series study included a sample of 35 PRK participants receiving primary care from a street medicine team at a single site from July to September 2020. We used the HOUSED BEDS assessment tool for taking history on PEUH. RESULTS: Participants were 63% male, 40% Hispanic/Latino/a, 40% white, 94% English-speaking, and 73% had chronic health conditions. Assessment revealed: average Homelessness (H) of 4 years; 76% had no prior social service Outreach (O); average Utilization (U) was 4 emergency department visits in prior 6-months; 68% received Salary (S) from government income; Food access or Eat (E) was commonly purchased (29%) or donated (26%); clean water to Drink (D) for 59% of participants; 86% had access to a Bathroom (B); Encampment (E) was varied and 38% reported safety concerns; Daily routine (D) showed 76% could access a telephone, 32% received social support from family; 79% reported past or current Substance use (S). No participants contracted COVID-19 during study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes health and demographic characteristics of PRK participants in Southern California. Findings inform policies to continue PRK that includes onsite healthcare such as via street medicine.

The bidirectional association between psychiatric disorders and sheltered homelessness.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders and homelessness are related, but temporal associations are unclear. We aimed to explore the overlap between hospital-based psychiatric disorders and sheltered homelessness. METHODS: This population-based cohort study was conducted using the Danish registers e.g., the Danish Homeless Register and the Danish National Patient Register. The study cohort included all individuals aged 15 years or older, living in Denmark at least one day during 2002-2021 (born 1984-2006). First psychiatric diagnosis was used to define psychiatric disorder and first homeless shelter contact to define homelessness. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and cumulative incidences were estimated. RESULTS: Among 1 530 325 individuals accounting for 16 787 562 person-years at risk aged 15-38 years, 11 433 (0.8%) had at least one homeless shelter contact. Among 1 406 410 individuals accounting for 14 131 060 person-years at risk, 210 730 had at least one psychiatric disorder. People with any psychiatric disorder had increased risk of sheltered homelessness relative to individuals with no psychiatric disorder [IRR 9.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.8-9.6]. Ten years after first psychiatric disorder, 3.0% (95% CI 2.9-3.1) had at least one homeless shelter contact. Individuals experiencing homelessness had increased risk of any psychiatric disorder compared to individuals with no homeless shelter contact (IRR 7.0, 95% CI 6.7-7.4). Ten years after first homeless shelter contact, 47.1% (45.3-48.0) had received a hospital-based psychiatric diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Strong bidirectional associations between psychiatric disorders and homelessness were identified. Health and social care professionals should be aware of and address these high risks of accumulated psychiatric and social problems.

Acesso e qualidade da alimentação: percepção da população em situação de rua / Acceso y calidad de la alimentación: percepción de personas en situación de calle / Access to food and food quality: perception of the homeless population

Resumo Objetivo Compreender a percepção do acesso e da qualidade da alimentação para a população em situação de rua. Métodos Estudo descritivo qualitativo, realizado em um Centro de Referência da População de Rua na região centro-sul de Belo Horizonte (MG). Utilizou-se roteiro semiestruturado para a realização das entrevistas de 18 participantes. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre dezembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021. A análise temática do material, proposta por Bardin, possibilitou a elaboração de três categorias empíricas. Resultados O público entrevistado era masculino, com idade média de 43 anos e tempo médio de situação de rua de 44,6 meses. O acesso à alimentação foi proveniente das doações de alimentos, refeições em instituições governamentais e aquisições ao dispor de renda. Foram relatadas dificuldades quanto à quantidade e qualidade dos alimentos, à aquisição das refeições nos fins de semana, aos sentimentos de medo e angústia perante a fome, à falta do alimento e pelo estigma social, agravados pela COVID-19. Conclusão Diante do cenário de iniquidades sociais, o direito ao acesso à alimentação não é garantido, sendo necessária a implementação de políticas públicas de proteção social que garantam os direitos básicos.

Resumen Objetivo Comprender la percepción del acceso y de la calidad de la alimentación según personas en situación de calle. Métodos Estudio descriptivo cualitativo, realizado en un Centro de Referencia de Personas de la Calle en la región centro-sur de Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais). Se utilizó un guion semiestructurado para realizar entrevistas a 18 participantes. La recopilación de datos se realizó entre diciembre de 2020 y enero de 2021. El análisis temático del material, propuesto por Bardin, permitió la elaboración de tres categorías empíricas. Resultados El público entrevistado era masculino, de 43 años de edad promedio y tiempo promedio de situación de calle de 44,6 meses. El acceso a la alimentación fue proveniente de donaciones de alimentos, comidas en instituciones gubernamentales y adquisiciones al disponer de ingresos. Las personas relataron dificultades con relación a la cantidad y calidad de los alimentos, a la adquisición de comida los fines de semana, a los sentimientos de miedo y angustia ante el hambre, a la falta de alimentos y al estigma social, agravados por el COVID-19. Conclusión Ante el escenario de iniquidades sociales, el derecho al acceso a la alimentación no está garantizado, por lo cual es necesario implementar políticas públicas de protección social que garanticen los derechos básicos.

Abstract Objective To understand the perception of access to food and food quality for the street population. Methods This qualitative descriptive study was performed in a Reference Center for the Homeless Population in the south-central region of Belo Horizonte (MG). A semi-structured script was used to conduct interviews with 18 participants. Data collection occurred between December 2020 and January 2021. The thematic analysis of the material, as proposed by Bardin, made it possible to elaborate three empirical categories. Results The public interviewed was male, with a mean age of 43 years, and a mean time on the streets of 44.6 months. Access to food came from donations, meals at government institutions, and acquisition when income was available. Difficulties were reported regarding the quantity and quality of food, acquisition of meals on weekends, feelings of fear and anguish in the face of hunger, lack of food, and social stigma, which were aggravated by COVID-19. Conclusion As in this scenario of social inequalities the access to food is not guaranteed, implementing public policies of social protection is necessary to guarantee basic rights.

Examining management plans for patients who frequently presented to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Patients who frequently present to Emergency Department (ED) experience complex health and social needs. While research has examined interventions that aim to decrease frequent ED attendances, there is a need to understand the types of interventions provided to patients by hospital clinicians during presentations. METHODS: Using qualitative content analysis, 82 management plans were evaluated to understand the scope and type of interventions provided by clinicians for patients frequently presenting to the ED at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia. RESULTS: Patients often presented to the ED due to mental and psychological distress, substance use and physical health concerns alongside psychosocial vulnerabilities. The goals of care documented in plans focussed on management of health issues, aggression within the ED, and coordinating care with community services. Recommended interventions addressed presenting needs with multi-disciplinary approach to respond to distress and aggression. Finally, the plans provided insight into service coordination dynamics between the ED and community-based health and social care services. CONCLUSIONS: The plans recommended interventions that sought to provide holistic care for patients in collaboration with relevant community-based services. The findings suggest that clinicians in the ED can provide appropriate and meaningful care for patients who experience frequent presentations.

Equidade em saúde para a população em situação de rua: uma revisão crítica / Health equity for homelessness: a critical review

RESUMO A noção de equidade em saúde se manifesta nas sociedades modernas por meio de diferentes ideias e propostas operacionais. No que diz respeito às pessoas em situação de rua, a equidade dialoga com a igualdade e a justiça para mobilizar diversas aplicações na saúde: enquanto a concepção liberal de equidade em saúde busca favorecer as condições de saúde dessa população sem romper com o modo de produção vigente, a concepção crítica almeja ampliar as condições e as necessidades de saúde na luta por uma sociedade emancipada. Com o objetivo de caracterizar as concepções de equidade em saúde expressas na literatura científica sobre essa população, este estudo realizou uma revisão crítica dos artigos disponíveis em portais de busca on-line. 1.716 publicações foram identificadas na amostragem inicial e 35 artigos foram incluídos na revisão após aplicação de procedimentos metodológicos. Os artigos foram caracterizados com relação às ideias e aplicações da equidade em saúde para a população em situação de rua, discutindo-se a respeito de metodologia, justiça e igualdade, distinção entre as concepções, processo saúde-doença, políticas públicas e pandemia da Covid-19. Aponta-se para a dominância da concepção liberal na literatura sobre essa população e a necessidade de investigações a partir da concepção crítica.

ABSTRACT The notion of equity in health manifests itself in modern societies through different ideas and operational proposals. Concerning homeless persons, equity dialogues with equality and justice to mobilize several applications in health: while the liberal conception of equity in health seeks to favor the health conditions of this population without breaking with the current mode of production, the critical conception aims to expand health conditions and needs in the struggle for an emancipated society. With the aim of characterizing the conceptions of equity in health expressed in the scientific literature on this population, this study carried out a critical review of the articles available on online search portals databases. 1,716 publications were identified in the initial sample and 35 articles were included in the review after application of methodological procedures. The articles were characterized in relation to the ideas and applications of equity in health for the homeless population, discussing methodology, justice and equality, distinction between conceptions, health-disease process, public policies and the COVID-19 pandemic. It points to the dominance of the liberal conception in the literature on this population and the need for investigations from the critical conception.

Respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory virus infections in residents of homeless shelters - King County, Washington, 2019-2021.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes disproportionate morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations. We tested residents of homeless shelters in Seattle, Washington for RSV in a repeated cross-sectional study as part of community surveillance for respiratory viruses. Of 15 364 specimens tested, 35 had RSV detected, compared to 77 with influenza. The most common symptoms for both RSV and influenza were cough and rhinorrhea. Many individuals with RSV (39%) and influenza (58%) reported that their illness significantly impacted their ability to perform their regular activities. RSV and influenza demonstrated similar clinical presentations and burden of illness in vulnerable populations living in congregate settings.

Continuity of primary care among homeless adults with mental illness who received a housing and mental health intervention.

BACKGROUND: Continuity of primary care (CPC) is associated with reduced mortality and improved health status. This study assessed the level of CPC and changes in CPC over 6 years among adults with experience of homelessness and mental illness who received a Housing First intervention. METHODS: Participants were adults (≥18 years old) with a serious mental disorder and experiencing chronic homelessness enrolled between October 2009 and June 2011 in the Toronto site of the Canadian At Home/Chez Soi study and followed until March 2017. Participants were randomized to Housing First with intensive case management (HF-ICM), Housing First with assertive community treatment (HF-ACT), or treatment as usual. For this report, 280 intervention group participants (HF-ICM, n = 193 and HF-ACT, n = 87) were analysed using data from health records. The main outcome was CPC measured by the Continuity of Care Index as a continuous and categorical variable among participants during 3 consecutive 2-year periods. RESULTS: Most HF-ICM participants had low levels of CPC, with 68%-74% of this group having low CPC across all time periods. Similarly, most HF-ACT participants had low levels of CPC, with 63%-78% of this group having low CPC across all time periods. CONCLUSIONS: Among this group of individuals with mental illness who were experiencing homelessness, CPC remained low over 6 years of follow-up. This study highlights that housing and mental health interventions may need to place greater emphasis on improving CPC using effective strategies that are specifically geared towards this important goal among their clients.

Social and health vulnerability of homeless people / Vulnerabilidad social y sanitaria de personas en situación de calle / Vulnerabilidade social e de saúde de pessoas em situação de rua

ABSTRACT The objective is to conduct a theoretical reflection on the social and health vulnerability of homeless people, from the perspective of complexity thinking. Study with a theoretical and reflective approach that accessed bibliographical sources of contemporary authors who seek to understand the phenomenon of homeless populations and, at the same time, attribute theoretical support from the reference of complexity, under a critical and analytical bias. Health is conceived as a subsystem of the social system that transcends any linear and punctual diagnostic perspective. Theoretical reflection on the social and health vulnerability of homeless people sparks a unique and multidimensional apprehension of the human being - a complex unit par excellence, which demands equally complex interventions.

RESUMEN El objetivo es realizar una reflexión teórica sobre la vulnerabilidad social y sanitaria de las personas en situación de calle desde la perspectiva del pensamiento de la complejidad. Se trata de un estudio con enfoque teórico y reflexivo basado en fuentes bibliográficas de autores contemporáneos que buscan comprender el fenómeno de las poblaciones sin hogar y, paralelamente, aportar sustento teórico desde el marco de la complejidad, bajo un sesgo crítico y analítico. La salud está concebida como un subsistema del medio social que trasciende cualquier perspectiva diagnóstica, lineal y puntual. La reflexión teórica sobre la vulnerabilidad social y sanitaria de las personas en situación de calle suscita una percepción singular y multidimensional del ser humano, unidad compleja por excelencia, que exige intervenciones igualmente complejas.

RESUMO Objetiva-se conduzir reflexão teórica sobre a vulnerabilidade social e de saúde de pessoas em situação de rua, na perspectiva do pensamento da complexidade. Estudo de abordagem teórico-reflexiva que acessou fontes bibliográficas de autores contemporâneos que buscam compreender o fenômeno das populações em situação de rua e, paralelamente, aprofundar a temática à luz do referencial da complexidade, sob um viés crítico e analítico. Concebe-se a saúde como subsistema do sistema social que transcende qualquer perspectiva diagnóstica linear e pontual. A reflexão teórica acerca da vulnerabilidade social e de saúde de pessoas em situação de rua acende uma apreensão singular e multidimensional de ser humano - unidade complexa por excelência, que demanda intervenções, igualmente, complexas.

Viver com hiv/aids em situação de rua: representações sociais de pessoas hospitalizadas / Vivir con vih/sida en la calle: representaciones sociales de personas hospitalizadas / Living with hiv/aids in street situation: social representations of hospitalized people

Objetivos: apreender as representações sociais sobre o viver com HIV para pessoas hospitalizadas em situação de rua e identificar os conteúdos, elementos e estrutura dessas representações. Método: trata-se de estudo descritivo, embasado na Teoria das Representações Sociais, realizado com pessoas hospitalizadas, que vivem com HIV em situação de rua. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se um formulário e o Teste de Associação Livre de Palavras. A análise de dados ocorreu por meio da estatística descritiva e do software EVOC. Resultados: dos 65 participantes, 46 eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 39 anos. Observou-se como núcleo central das representações sociais: medo, doente e preconceito, indicando as proporções funcionais e relacionadas à imagem do objeto investigado. O grupo investigado representou o viver com HIV/aids na rua por meio de palavras negativas, carregadas de mágoa, tristeza e medo. Conclusão: as representações têm um provável núcleo central na palavra "medo".

Objetivos: aprehender las representaciones sociales sobre el vivir con VIH para personas hospitalizadas en situación de calle e identificar los contenidos, elementos y estructura de esas representaciones. Método: se trata de estudio descriptivo, basado en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales, realizado con personas hospitalizadas, que viven con VIH en situación de calle. Para recolección de datos se utilizó un formulario y el Test de Asociación Libre de Palabras. El análisis de datos se realizó por medio de la estadística descriptiva y del software EVOC. Resultados: de los 65 participantes, 46 eran hombres, con edad media de 39 años. Se observó como núcleo central de las representaciones sociales: miedo, enfermo y prejuicio, indicando las proporciones funcionales y relacionadas a la imagen del objeto investigado. El grupo investigado representó el vivir con VIH/sida en la calle por medio de palabras negativas, cargadas de dolor, tristeza y miedo. Conclusión: las representaciones tienen un probable núcleo central en la palabra "miedo".

Objective: to apprehend the social representations about living with HIV for homeless people hospitalized and to identify the contents, elements and structure of these representations. Method: this is a descriptive study, based on the Theory of Social Representations, conducted with homeless hospitalized people living with HIV. For data collection, a form and the Free Word Association Test were used. Data analysis occurred through descriptive statistics and EVOC software. Results: of the 65 participants, 46 were male, with a mean age of 39 years. The central core of social representations included: fear, illness and prejudice, indicating the functional proportions and related to the image of the investigated object. The investigated group represented living with HIV/aids on the street through negative words, loaded with hurt, sadness and fear. Conclusion: representations have a probable core in the word "fear".

O quixotesco ideal da equidade: trâns(itos) em uma sociedade pseudo-homogênea / The quixotesque ideal of equity in Costa Rica: trans(it) in a pseudo-homogeneous society

Resumo Introdução: A legitimidade da aspiração à equidade social como compreendida na atualidade é um fenômeno relativamente recente na história da humanidade. Adquire centralidade teórica e política no século XIX e expande-se através dos avatares do século XX, sendo objeto de leituras e interpretações distintas e, por vezes, contrapostas. Objetivo: Analisar os rostos das inequidades sofridas pela população trans da Costa Rica em situação de rua diante uma revisão narrativa. Método: Ensaio analítico reflexivo e argumentativo. Resultados: A construção transfronteiriça de uma sociedade (pseudo)homogênea tem conduzido a uma concatenação de violências sobre a população trans em situação de rua. De certa maneira, o ponto de partida deste olhar segregacionista repousa em uma sociedade que possui uma visão deteriorada sobre o significado real da equidade e inclusão social. Conclusões: Torna-se importante compreender a inequidade desenhada no espaço rua, entendendo esse como um hábitat que fortalece as distâncias/abismos sociais e sistematiza a exclusão de uma população já abandonada.

Abstract Background: The legitimacy of social equity as understood today is a relatively recent phenomenon in human history. It acquires theoretical and political centrality in the 19th century and expands through the avatars of the 20th century. Objective: To analyze the faces of the inequities suffered by the trans homeless population in Costa Rica through a narrative review. Method: A reflective and argumentative analytical essay. Results: The cross-border construction of a (pseudo)homogeneous society has led to a concatenation of violence against the homeless trans population. In a way, the starting point of this segregationist look rests on a society that has a deteriorated vision on the real meaning of equity and social inclusion. Conclusions: It seems important to understand the inequality drawn in the street space, understanding it as a habitat that strengthens social distances/gaps and that systematizes the exclusion of an already abandoned population.