Inequalities among patients hospitalized for cardiac and cerebral-vascular diseases in the City of the State of S. Paulo, Brazil, 1986

Valendo-se de um sistema de informações sobre hospitalizações no Município de Ribeirão Preto, SP (Brasil) foram estudadas as características clínico-epidemiológicas referidas dos pacientes internados, em 1986, por doenças cardíacas e vasculares-cerebrais (DCVC). De 43.499 hospitalizações ocorridas naquele ano, 4.673 foram ocasionadas por doenças cardíacas e vasculares-cerebrais. Utilizando a fonte de financiamento da internação como indicador do estrato social ao qual pertence o paciente, foram compostos 4 grupos de estudo: particulares, "outros", previdenciários e "não pagantes"; estes grupos apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto a coeficiente de internações por DCVC, média e mediana de idade na hospitalização, perfil ocupacional, duração da internação, freqüência dos sub-grupos diagnósticos, coeficientes de mortalidade e a idade média e mediana nos casos de óbitos. Estas diferenças foram atribuídas às disparidades sociais no nível de vida e condições de trabalho dos grupos estudados o que determina diferenças no adoecer, ser assistido e no morrer.The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalizations due to cardiac and cerebral-vascular diseases (CCVD - ICD 390 - 438), which occurred in 1986, were studied on the basis of data from an information system relating to medical care in the City of Ribeirão Preto, State of S. Paulo, Brazil. These causes accounted for 4,673 of the annual total of 43,449 hospital admissions. Using the sources of payment of the hospitalization as an indicator of the patients' social strata, the following four study groups were defined: private, social insurance, non-paying and "others". These groups showed significant differences in relation to the following variables: hospitalization rates due to CCVD, mean and median age at admission and time of death, occupation, average length of stay in the hospital, mortality rates and relative frequencies of specific sub-group diagnosis. These differences are attributed to inequalities in the standard of living and in the working conditions of the groups, which determine diverse patterns of disease, medical care and mortality

Blood transfusions per hospitalization in the local public health network of Belo Horizonte between 2008 and 2021: A time series analysis

Background: Blood transfusion rates are increasing worldwide. This work was a longitudinal retrospective study conducted with data referent to the use of blood components between January 2008 and December 2021 in the local public health network of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, at Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves (HRTN), Hospital Metropolitano Dr. Célio de Castro (HMDCC), and Hospital Metropolitano Odilon Behrens (HMOB). Objective: This study sought to describe the time series of the number of blood transfusions and blood transfusion rates per general hospitalization through a time series analysis. Methods: Through data from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (HIS-SUS), this study formulated six monthly time series of the number of blood transfusions and blood transfusion rates per hospitalization. The stationarity, trend, and seasonality of the time series were verified by the unit root test, using the Mann-Kendall and the Fisher tests, respectively. The normality hypothesis of the data was verified by the Shapiro-Wilk test. All of the statistical tests considered a significance level of 5%. Results: The average monthly blood transfusion rates per hospitalization observed in this study were 45.5%, 26.9%, and 26.3% at HRTN, HMDCC, and HMOB, respectively. The highest decrease in the number of blood transfusions was observed at HMDCC and the highest decrease in blood transfusion rates was observed at HRTN. Packed red blood cells were the most commonly used blood component at HRTN, HMOB, and HMDCC (54.6%, 58.3%, and 65.4%, respectively). The time series showed that they were non-stationary, with a downward trend and the presence of a 12-month seasonal component. Conclusion: The decline in the number of blood transfusions should be considered a positive phenomenon in public health due to best use and quality management, since a decrease in blood donation rates was also observed

TENDÊNCIA TEMPORAL DA PREVALÊNCIA DOS FATORES DE RISCO E DE PROTEÇÃO PARA DOENÇAS CRÔNICAS NÃO TRANSMISSÍVEIS EM BELO HORIZONTE, MG

RESUMO Introdução: as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) constituem o maior problema global de saúde e são a principal causa de morte no mundo, juntamente com seus fatores de risco conhecidos, evitáveis e passíveis de intervenção. Objetivo: analisar as tendências temporais da prevalência dos fatores de risco e proteção para as DCNTs no município de Belo Horizonte. Métodos: estudo de tendência de indicadores de fatores de risco e de proteção para DCNT do inquérito Vigitel para a cidade de Belo Horizonte entre 2006 e 2016, estratificados segundo sexo, idade e escolaridade. Para estimar a tendência, foi utilizado o modelo de regressão linear simples, considerando a=0,05. Resultados: a análise de série temporal mostrou aspectos positivos, como aumento das tendências de fatores de proteção - a prática de atividade física no lazer e o consumo recomendado de frutas e legumes. Houve também redução de fatores de risco: o tabagismo, o consumo de refrigerantes e de carne e leite com gordura, no período de 2006 a 2016. Conclusão: a vigilância dos fatores de risco e de proteção para DCNT permite identificar condicionantes sociais, econômicos e ambientais, e a análise dos dados por capitais pode subsidiar o planejamento de programas e ações locais de prevenção de doenças crônicas e seus fatores de risco, tanto individuais quanto coletivas

Associação entre internações por condições sensíveis e qualidade da atenção primária

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between municipal rates of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) hospitalization and the quality of primary health care (PHC), socioeconomic, and demographic variables and those related to local characteristics of the health system from 2010 to 2019. METHOD: Ecological time series study in Brazilian municipalities analyzing the correlation of ACSC hospitalization rates with PHC quality measured by the three cycles of the Primary Care Access and Program for improving primary care access and quality (PMAQ-AB). The study included municipalities whose teams participated in 80% or more of at least two PMAQ-AB cycles. The correlation between standardized ACSC hospitalization rates and PHC quality and other variables was analyzed. Spearman’s test was used between the response variable and numerical explanatory variables. Generalized equations estimation was used as a multivariate model associating ACSC hospitalization rates with the other variables over the years. RESULTS: A total of 3,500 municipalities were included in the models. The quality of PHC (PMAQ-AB score) showed an inverse association with the variation in ACSC hospitalization rates. Hospitalization rates fell by -2% per year every ten-point increase in the PMAQ-AB score, adjusted by the remaining variables. A one-unit increase in the beds per 1,000 inhabitants variable had an impact of approximately +6.4% on ACSC hospitalization rates. Regarding population size, larger municipalities had lower ACSC hospitalization rates. Increased PHC coverage and lower socioeconomic inequality were also associated with the reduction in hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in ACSC hospitalization rates over time was associated with an increase in the quality of PHC. It was also associated with a reduction in the number of hospital beds and municipalities with better socioeconomic indicators.OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre taxas municipais de internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (ICSAP), com a qualidade da atenção primária à saúde (APS), variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e relacionadas a características locais do sistema de saúde, de 2010 a 2019. MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico de séries temporais nos municípios brasileiros analisando a correlação das taxas de ICSAP, com a qualidade da APS medida pelos três ciclos do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB). Foram incluídos municípios que participaram com 80% ou mais de suas equipes em, ao menos, dois ciclos do PMAQ-AB. Foi analisada a correlação entre as taxas de ICSAP padronizadas com a qualidade da APS e demais variáveis. Empregou-se o teste de Spearman entre a variável resposta e as variáveis explicativas numéricas. Foi usado o generalized equations estimating como modelo multivariado associando as taxas de ICSAP e as demais variáveis ao longo dos anos. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 3.500 municípios nos modelos. A qualidade da APS (nota do PMAQ-AB) apresentou associação inversa com a variação das taxas de ICSAP. As taxas de internação tiveram queda de -2% ao ano a cada aumento de dez pontos na nota do PMAQAB, ajustado pelas demais variáveis. O aumento de uma unidade na variável leitos por mil habitantes impactou em uma elevação de aproximadamente +6,4% nas taxas de ICSAP. Quanto ao porte populacional, municípios maiores tiveram menores taxas de ICSAP. Também se associaram à redução das internações o aumento da cobertura da APS e a menor desigualdade socioeconômica. CONCLUSÕES: A redução das taxas de ICSAP ao longo do tempo mostrou-se associada com o aumento da qualidade da APS. Além disso, esteve associada com diminuição do número de leitos hospitalares e a municípios com melhores indicadores socioeconômicos

Care coordination in PMAQ-AB: an Item Response Theory-based analysis

OBJETIVO Analisar a qualidade das variáveis do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica para avaliar a coordenação na atenção básica do cuidado. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal baseado em dados de 17.202 equipes de atenção básica que participaram do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica em 2012. Baseado na Teoria de Resposta ao Item, o Modelo de Resposta Gradual de Samejima foi utilizado para estimação do escore relacionado ao nível de coordenação. Os coeficientes alfa de Cronbach, Spearman e ponto bisserial foram utilizados para análise da consistência interna e da correlação entre os itens e de itens com o escore total. Foram avaliadas as suposições de unidimensionalidade e de independência local dos itens. Gráficos do tipo nuvem de palavras auxiliaram na interpretação dos níveis de coordenação. RESULTADOS Os itens do Programa com maior discriminação do nível de coordenação foram: existência de telefone/internet, fluxos institucionais de comunicação e ações de apoio matricial. A frequência de contato de especialistas com a atenção básica e prontuário eletrônico integrado exigiram maior nível de coordenação das equipes. O coeficiente alfa de Cronbach total 0,8018. Os itens fluxos institucional de comunicação e telefone/internet tiveram maior correlação com o escore total. Os escores de coordenação variaram entre -2,67 (mínimo) e 2,83 (máximo). Maior grau de comunicação, troca de informações, apoio matricial, cuidado no território e domicílio tiveram peso relevante nos níveis de coordenação. CONCLUSÕES A capacidade de disponibilizar a informação e a frequência de contato entre os profissionais são elementos importantes para o cuidado abrangente, contínuo e de qualidade.OBJECTIVE Analyze the quality of the National Program for Primary Care Access and Quality Improvement variables to evaluate the coordination of primary care. METHODS A cross-sectional study based on data from 17,202 primary care teams that participated in the National Program for Primary Care Access and Quality Improvement in 2012. Based on the Item Response Theory, Samejima’s Gradual Response Model was used to estimate the score related to the level of coordination. The Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman’ coefficients and the point-biserial correlation were used to analyze the internal consistency and the correlation between the items and between the items and the total score. We evaluated the assumptions of unidimensionality and local independence of the items. Cloud-type word charts aided in the interpretation of coordination levels. RESULTS The Program items with the greatest discrimination in coordination level were: telephone/Internet existence, institutional communication flows, and matrix support actions. The specialists’ contact frequency with the primary care and integrated electronic medical record required a greater level of coordination among the teams. The Cronbach’ alpha was 0.8018. The institutional communication flows and telephone/Internet items had a higher correlation with the total score. Coordination scores ranged from -2.67 (minimum) to 2.83 (maximum). More communication, information exchange, matrix support, health care in the territory and the domicile had a significant influence on the levels of coordination. CONCLUSIONS The ability to provide information and the frequency of contact among professionals are important elements for a comprehensive, continuous and high-quality care

Institutional and matrix support and its relationship with primary healthcare

OBJECTIVE To analyze whether the level of institutional and matrix support is associated with better certification of primary healthcare teams.METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated two kinds of primary healthcare support – 14,489 teams received institutional support and 14,306 teams received matrix support. Logistic regression models were applied. In the institutional support model, the independent variable was “level of support” (as calculated by the sum of supporting activities for both modalities). In the matrix support model, in turn, the independent variables were the supporting activities. The multivariate analysis has considered variables with p RESULTS The teams had institutional and matrix supporting activities (84.0% and 85.0%), respectively, with 55.0% of them performing between six and eight activities. For the institutional support, we have observed 1.96 and 3.77 chances for teams who had medium and high levels of support to have very good or good certification, respectively. For the matrix support, the chances of their having very good or good certification were 1.79 and 3.29, respectively. Regarding to the association between institutional support activities and the certification, the very good or good certification was positively associated with self-assessment (OR = 1.95), permanent education (OR = 1.43), shared evaluation (OR = 1.40), and supervision and evaluation of indicators (OR = 1.37). In regards to the matrix support, the very good or good certification was positively associated with permanent education (OR = 1.50), interventions in the territory (OR = 1.30), and discussion in the work processes (OR = 1.23).CONCLUSIONS In Brazil, supporting activities are being incorporated in primary healthcare, and there is an association between the level of support, both matrix and institutional, and the certification result.</sec

Salud urbana, ambiente y desigualdades

Os ambientes psicossocial, econômico e físico, nos quais se nasce, cresce, vive e trabalha, afetam a saúde e a longevidade, tanto quanto o fumo, o exercício e a dieta. A atenção individual à saúde não é suficiente para prevenir ou controlar os efeitos das más condições ambientais. Evidências históricas e atuais apontam para o agravamento das condições de saúde das populações mais pobres, acompanhando processos de urbanização rápida. Esperadamente, o envelhecimento populacional num ambiente urbano de desigualdade social deverá agravar a situação de saúde da população mais pobre, resultando em mais sofrimento e em perdas econômicas para o país. Com base nestas justificativas, um grupo de professores da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul se organizou, via extensão universitária, para contribuir com a discussão e as iniciativas nacionais de intervenção sobre a saúde urbana. Os projetos do grupo abarcam: o debate sobre o impacto potencial de iniciativas privadas e políticas públicas setoriais (de habitação, saneamento, transporte, educação, inovação tecnológica, sustentabilidade ambiental etc.) na saúde urbana; a produção e divulgação de conteúdos sobre determinantes sociais e ambientais da saúde; a produção e disseminação dos indicadores de desigualdade social dos determinantes da saúde; a formação de recursos humanos; e a participação em redes sociais. A apresentação pública deste projeto cumpre o objetivo de contribuir desde já com essa discussão.The psychosocial, economic, and physical environment where we were born, and now are growing, living, working, and reproducing affect health and longevity as much as do smoking, exercise, and diet. Individual attention to health is not enough to prevent or control the effects of bad environmental conditions. Historical and current evidence show that a decline in the health condition of the poorest is associated with rapid urbanization. Population aging in an urban environment of social inequalities is expected to make the health situation of the poorest even worse, resulting in more human suffering and economic losses for the country. Based on these observations, a group of professors from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) organized themselves, through an extension program, to contribute on the discussion and national initiatives of intervention in urban health. The group’s projects are comprised of: discussions about the potential impact of private initiatives and sector public policies (housing, sanitation, transportation, education, technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and so on) on urban health; the production and dissemination of information about social and environmental determinants of health; the production and dissemination of new indicators of inequality as determinants of health; human resources development; and the participation in social networks. The public presentation of this project satisfies the objective of initiating the group’s contribution to this discussion.Los ambientes psicosocial, económico y físico en los cuales nacemos, crecemos, vivimos, trabajamos y nos reproducimos afectan la salud y la longevidad, tanto como el tabaco, el ejercicio y la dieta. La atención individual a la salud no es suficiente para prevenir o controlar los efectos de malas condiciones ambientales. Evidencias históricas y actuales muestran el agravamiento de las condiciones de salud de las poblaciones más pobres acompañando procesos de urbanización rápida. Previsiblemente, el envejecimiento de la población en un ambiente urbano de desigualdad social deberá agravar la situación de la salud de la población más pobre, resultando en más sufrimiento y en pérdidas económicas para el país. Con base en estas justificativas, un grupo de profesores de la Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) se organizó, a través de la extensión universitaria, para contribuir con la discusión y las iniciativas nacionales de intervención sobre la Salud Urbana. Los proyectos del grupo abarcan: el debate sobre el impacto potencial de iniciativas privadas y políticas públicas sectoriales (de habitación, saneamiento, transporte, educación, innovación tecnológica, sustentabilidad ambiental, etc.) en la Salud Urbana; la producción y divulgación de contenidos sobre determinantes sociales y ambientales de la salud; la producción y diseminación de indicadores de desigualdad social como determinantes de la salud; la formación de recursos humanos; y la participación en redes sociales. La presentación pública de este proyecto cumple con el objetivo de contribuir desde ya con esta discusión

COVID-19 outcomes in people living with HIV: Peering through the waves

Objective: To evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients infected with HIV, and to compare with a paired sample without HIV infection. Methods: This is a substudy of a Brazilian multicentric cohort that comprised two periods (2020 and 2021). Data was obtained through the retrospective review of medical records. Primary outcomes were admission to the intensive care unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death. Patients with HIV and controls were matched for age, sex, number of comorbidities, and hospital of origin using the technique of propensity score matching (up to&nbsp;4:1). They were compared using the Chi-Square or Fisher's Exact tests for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon for numerical variables. Results: Throughout the study, 17,101&nbsp;COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, and 130&nbsp;(0.76%) of those were infected with HIV. The median age was&nbsp;54&nbsp;(IQR:&nbsp;43.0;64.0) years in&nbsp;2020 and 53&nbsp;(IQR:&nbsp;46.0;63.5) years in&nbsp;2021, with a predominance of females in both periods. People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and their controls showed similar prevalence for admission to the ICU and invasive mechanical ventilation requirement in the two periods, with no significant differences. In&nbsp;2020, in-hospital mortality was higher in the PLHIV compared to the controls (27.9%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;17.7%; p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.049), but there was no difference in mortality between groups in&nbsp;2021 (25.0%&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;25.1%; p &gt; 0.999). Conclusions: Our results reiterate that PLHIV were at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality in the early stages of the pandemic, however, this finding did not sustain in&nbsp;2021, when the mortality rate is similar to the control group