The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of integrating mental health services in primary care in low- and middle-income countries : systematic review

Q1Artículo original1-13Aims and method This systematic review examines the effectiveness and costeffectiveness of behavioural health integration into primary healthcare in the management of depression and unhealthy alcohol use in low- and middle-income countries. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review included research that studied patients aged ≥18 years with unhealthy alcohol use and/or depression of any clinical severity. An exploration of the models of integration was used to characterise a typology of behavioural health integration specific for low- and middle-income countries. Results Fifty-eight articles met inclusion criteria. Studies evidenced increased effectiveness of integrated care over treatment as usual for both conditions. The economic evaluations found increased direct health costs but cost-effective estimates. The included studies used six distinct behavioural health integration models. Clinical implications Behavioural health integration may yield improved health outcomes, although it may require additional resources. The proposed typology can assist decision-makers to advance the implementation of integrated models

A case-control study of Burkitt lymphoma in East Africa: are local health facilities an appropriate source of representative controls?

Abstract Background We investigated the feasibility and appropriateness of enrolling controls for Burkitt lymphoma (BL) from local health facilities in two regions in Uganda. Methods BL case data were compiled from two local hospitals with capacity to diagnose and treat BL in North-west and North-central regions of Uganda during 1997 to 2009. Local health facility data were compiled from children attending four representative local health facilities in the two regions over a two week period in May/June 2010. Age and sex patterns of BL cases and children at local facilities were compared and contrasted using frequency tables. Results There were 999 BL cases diagnosed in the study area (92% of all BL cases treated at the hospitals): 64% were from North-central and 36% from North-west region. The mean age of BL cases was 7.0 years (standard deviation [SD] 3.0). Boys were younger than girls (6.6 years versus 7.2 years, P = 0.004) and cases from North-central region were younger than cases from North-west region (6.8 years versus 7.3 years, P = 0.014). There were 1012 children recorded at the four local health facilities: 91% at facilities in North-central region and 9% from facilities in North-west region. Daily attendance varied between 1 to 75 children per day. The mean age of children at health facilities was 2.2 years (SD 2.8); it did not differ by sex. Children at North-central region facilities were younger than children at North-west region facilities (1.8 years versus 6.6 years, P < 0.001). Conclusions While many children attend local health facilities, confirming feasibility of obtaining controls, their mean age is much lower than BL cases. Health facilities may be suitable for obtaining young, but not older, controls

Addressing harmful alcohol use in primary care in Colombia : understanding the sociocultural context

Harmful alcohol use is a public health problem worldwide, contributing to an estimated 5.1% of the global burden of illness. Screening and addressing at-risk drinking in primary care settings is an empirically supported health care intervention strategQ3Q3Revista Nacional - Indexada

Addressing Harmful Alcohol Use in Primary Care in Colombia : Understanding the Sociocultural Context

El consumo nocivo de alcohol es un problema de salud pública en todo el mundo, que contribuye a aproximadamente el 5,1% de la carga mundial de la enfermedad. La detección y el abordaje del consumo nocivo de alcohol en atención primaria es una estrategia de intervención de atención en salud empíricamente respaldada para ayudar a reducir la carga de los problemas de consumo de alcohol. En preparación para introducir pruebas de detección y tratamiento para el consumo nocivo de alcohol en clínicas de atención primaria en Colombia, realizamos entrevistas con médicos, administradores clínicos, pacientes y participantes en Alcohólicos Anónimos. Las entrevistas se realizaron en el marco del proyecto de investigación Detección y Atención Integral de Depresión y Abuso de Alcohol en Atención Primaria (DIADA, www.project-diada.org), y su fase cualitativa consistió en la recopilación de datos en 15 grupos focales, seis entrevistas y observaciones de campo en cinco entornos regionales. Todos los participantes proporcionaron consentimiento informado para participar en esta investigación. Los hallazgos muestran la asociación del consumo nocivo de alcohol con una cultura de consumo, en la cual esta se expresa como una práctica aprendida y socialmente aceptada. El reconocimiento del consumo nocivo de alcohol incluye un contexto social que influencia su detección, diagnóstico y prevención. La discusión resalta cómo, a pesar de la existencia de estrategias institucionales en el contexto de atención en salud y de la conciencia sobre la importancia del consumo nocivo de alcohol entre el personal sanitario, el reconocimiento del uso nocivo del alcohol como una patología debe estar integrada con la comprensión de las dimensiones históricas, sociales y culturales que pueden afectar diferentes escenarios de identificación y atención.Q3Harmful alcohol use is a public health problem worldwide, contributing to an estimated 5.1% of the global burden of illness. Screening and addressing at-risk drinking in primary care settings is an empirically supported health care intervention strategy to help reducenthe burden of alcohol-use problems. In preparation for introducing screening and treatment for at-risk drinking in primary care clinics in Colombia, we conducted interviews with clinicians, clinic administrators, patients, and participants in Alcoholics Anonymous. Interviews were conducted within the framework of the Detección y Atención Integral de Depresión y Abuso de Alcohol en Atención Primaria (DIADA [Detection and Integrated Care for Depression and Alcohol Use in Primary Care] www.project-diada.org) research project, and its qualitative phase that consisted of the collection of data from 15 focus groups, 6 interviews and field observations in 5 regional settings. All participants provided informed consent to participate in this research. Findings revealed the association of harmful alcohol use with a culture of consumption, within which it is learned and socially accepted practice. Recognition of harmful alcohol consumption includes a social context that influences its screening, diagnosis and prevention. The discussion highlights how, despite the existence of institutional strategies in healthcare settings and the awareness of the importance of at-risk drinking among health personnel, the recognition of the harmful use of alcohol as a pathology should be embedded in an understanding of historical, social and cultural dimensions that may affect different identification and care scenarios.Revista Internacional - Indexad

Assessing the Integration of Behavioral Health Services in Primary Care in Colombia

Q1CompletoIntegration of behavioral health care into primary care can improve health and economic outcomes. This study adapted the Behavioral Health Integration in Medical Care (BHIMC) index to the Colombian context and assessed the baseline level of behavioral health integration in a sample of primary care organizations. The BHIMC was able to detect the capacity to provide integrated behavioral care in Colombian settings. Results indicate a minimal to partial integration level across all sites, and that it is possible to measure the degree of integrated care capacity and identify improvement areas for better behavioral health care provision