O potencial de propagação da Covid-19 e a tomada de decisão governamental: uma análise retrospectiva em Florianópolis, Brasil

Objective: to analyze the association between the spreading potential of SARS-CoV-2 and the decision-making of the municipal government of Florianópolis (Brazil) regarding social distance. Methods: We analyzed new cases of COVID-19 with nowcasting treatment identified in Florianópolis residents between February 1 and July 14, 2020. Decrees related to COVID-19 published in the Official Gazette of the Municipality between February 1 and July 14, 2020 were also analyzed. Based on the actions proposed in the decrees, it was analyzed whether they relaxed social isolation, increased or maintained existing restrictions, thus creating the Social Distancing Index. Time-dependent reproduction numbers (Rt) for the period of 14 days prior to each decree were calculated. A matrix was constructed associating the classification of each decree and the Rt values, analyzing the consonance or dissonance between the potential dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 and the actions of the decrees. Results: 5,374 cases of COVID-19 and 26 decrees were analyzed. Nine decrees increased measures of social distance, nine maintained them and eight made them more flexible. Of the 26 actions, 9 were consonant and 17 dissonant with the tendency indicated by the Rt. Dissonances were observed in all the decrees that maintained the distance measures or made them more flexible. In the last two months analyzed there was the fastest expansion in the number of new cases and the greatest amount of dissonant decrees. Conclusion: There was an important divergence between municipal measures of social distance with epidemiological indicators at the time of each political decision.   Key-words: Coronavirus Infections. Epidemiology. Decision Making. Government.Objetivo: analisar a relação entre o potencial de propagação do SARS-CoV-2 e as tomadas de decisão do governo municipal de Florianópolis (Brasil) quanto ao distanciamento social. Métodos: Foram analisados casos novos de COVID-19 com tratamento de nowcasting identificados em residentes de Florianópolis entre 01 de fevereiro e 14 de julho de 2020. Também foram analisados os decretos relacionados à COVID-19 publicadas no Diário Oficial do Município entre 01 de fevereiro e 14 de julho de 2020. Com base nas ações dispostas nos decretos, analisou-se se elas promoviam o relaxamento, o aumento ou a manutenção das restrições vigestes, criando-se o Índice de Distanciamento Social. Para o período de cinco dias anteriores a cada decreto calcularam-se os números de reprodução dependente do tempo (Rt). Construiu-se matriz entre a classificação de cada decreto e os valores de Rt, verificando-se a consonância ou a dissonância entre o potencial de disseminação do SARS-CoV-2 e as ações dos decretos. Resultados: Foram analisados 5.374 casos de COVID-19 e 26 decretos. Nove decretos aumentaram as medidas de distanciamento social, nove mantiveram e oito as flexibilizaram. Das 26 ações, 9 eram consonantes e 17 dissonantes com a tendência indicada pelos Rt. Dissonâncias foram observadas com todos os decretos que mantiveram as medidas de distanciamento e que as flexibilizavam. No segundo bimestre da análise houve a mais rápida expansão do número de casos novos e a maior quantidade de dissonâncias dos decretos. Conclusão: Observou-se importante divergência entre as medidas de distanciamento social com indicadores epidemiológicos no momento da decisão política

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among front-line healthcare workers in Northeast Brazil : a respondent-driven sampling approach

Objectives We assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages and occurrence of biological accidents among front-line healthcare workers (HCW). Design, setting and participants Using respondent-driven sampling, the study recruited distinct categories of HCW attending suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19 from May 2020 to February 2021, in the Recife metropolitan area, Northeast Brazil. Outcome measures The criterion to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW was a positive self-reported PCR test. Results We analysed 1525 HCW: 527 physicians, 471 registered nurses, 263 nursing assistants and 264 physical therapists. Women predominated in all categories (81.1%; 95% CI: 77.8% to 84.1%). Nurses were older with more comorbidities (hypertension and overweight/obesity) than the other staff. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 61.8% (95% CI: 55.7% to 67.5%) after adjustment for the cluster random effect, weighted by network, and the reference population size. Risk factors for a positive RT-PCR test were being a nursing assistant (OR adjusted: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.42 to 4.61), not always using all recommended PPE while assisting patients with COVID-19 (OR adj: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.02 to 4.53) and reporting a splash of biological fluid/respiratory secretion in the eyes (OR adj: 3.37; 95% CI: 1.10 to 10.34). Conclusions This study shows the high frequency of SARS-CoV2 infection among HCW presumably due to workplace exposures. In our setting, nursing assistant comprised the most vulnerable category. Our findings highlight the need for improving healthcare facility environments, specific training and supervision to cope with public health emergencies

Peer Navigation to Support Transgender Women's Engagement in HIV Care: Findings from the Trans Amigas Pilot Trial in São Paulo, Brazil.

Trans women living with HIV (TWH) have suboptimal HIV care engagement. We pilot tested Trans Amigas, a theory-based, trans-specific peer navigation (PN) intervention to address barriers to care in São Paulo, Brazil. TWH were randomized to the PN intervention (n = 75) or control (n = 38) condition. Control participants were referred to trans-friendly HIV care. Intervention participants were assigned a navigator who conducted nine in-person one-on-one sessions and bi-weekly phone or text check-ins to help participants overcome barriers to care and work towards gender affirmation and healthcare goals. We followed participants for 9 months to determine intervention feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in improving retention in care. Analyses were intention to treat (ITT). Intervention acceptability was high: at end line, 85.2% of PN participants said they would continue receiving services and 94.4% would recommend peer navigation to a friend. A priori feasibility criteria were met: 92% of eligible participants enrolled and 70% were retained at 9 months; however, only 47% achieved moderate or better adherence to both in-person and phone/text program components. Though the pilot was not powered for efficacy, ITT findings trended toward significance, with intervention participants 40% more likely to be retained in care at the end of the study. Population-specific peer programming to support care engagement is acceptable, feasible, and can improve HIV outcomes for Trans women living with HIV

The "AMA-Brazil" cooperative project: a nation-wide assessment of the clinical and epidemiological profile of AIDS-related deaths in Brazil in the antiretroviral treatment era Projeto cooperativo AMA-Brasil: um estudo nacional do perfil clinico e epidemiológico dos óbitos relacionados à AIDS na era da terapia antirretroviral

The objective of this study was to assess the profile of AIDS-related deaths in the post antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale up period in Brazil. A case-control study was conducted including a nationally probabilistic sample of AIDS deaths and living controls. Data were abstracted from medical records and nation-wide databases of AIDS cases, mortality, ART care, and laboratory testing. Interrupted (adjusted odds ratio - AOR 4.35, 95%CI: 3.15-6.00) or no use of ART (AOR 2.39, 95%CI: 1.57-3.65) was the strongest predictor of death, followed by late diagnosis (AOR 3.95, 95%CI: 2.68-5.82). Criterion other than CD4 < 350 had a higher likelihood of death (AOR 1.65, 95%CI: 1.14-2.40). Not receiving recommended vaccines (AOR, 1.76, 95%CI: 1.21-2.56), presenting AIDS-related diseases (AOR 2.19, 95%CI: 1.22-3.93) and tuberculosis (AOR 1.50, 95%CI: 1.14-1.97) had higher odds of death. Being an injecting drug user (IDU) had a borderline association with higher odds of death, while homo/bisexual exposure showed a protective effect. Despite remarkable successes, Brazilians continue to die of AIDS in the post-ART scale up period. Many factors contributing to continued mortality are preventable<br>Analisou-se o perfil clínico e epidemiológico dos óbitos relacionados à AIDS no período posterior à implementação da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) no Brasil, em um estudo caso-controle, com amostra representativa de óbitos por AIDS e de pessoas vivendo com AIDS, utilizando dados secundários. Abandono (odds ratio ajustada - AOR = 4,35, IC95%: 3,15-6,00) ou não uso da TARV (AOR = 2,39, IC95%: 1,57-3,65) foi o mais forte preditor de morte, seguido de diagnóstico tardio (AOR = 3,95, IC95%: 2,68-5,82). Critério de definição de AIDS que não o "CD4 < 350" esteve associado a uma maior probabilidade de morte (AOR = 1,65, IC95%: 1,14-2,40). Pacientes que não receberam vacinas recomendadas (AOR = 1,76, 95%CI: 1,21-2,56), apresentando doenças associadas à AIDS (AOR = 2,19, IC95%: 1,22-3,93) e com tuberculose (AOR = 1,50, IC95%: 1,14-1,97), tiveram maior risco de morte. A categoria de exposição UDI apresentou maior chance de óbito. Apesar do sucesso com as introduções precoces da TARV, brasileiros continuaram a morrer de AIDS no período posterior à implementação da terapia, e muitas das causas subjacentes a essa mortalidade são preveníveis