Prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment with no dementia in a primary care setting in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline is a common condition, but is still underrepresented in studies conducted in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To calculate the prevalence of cognitive decline and depression in an elderly community-dwelling population in a city in southern Brazil. METHODS: We calculated the prevalences of dementia, cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) and symptoms of depression in an elderly population relying on the public healthcare system. This epidemiological study in Pelotas, Brazil, was conducted within the primary care setting. It included 299 older adults (mean age = 69.75 ± 7.6 years) who presented low levels of education (mean = 4.16 ± 3.17 years of education). They underwent cognitive screening and their medical records were analyzed. RESULTS: Among these older adults, 142 (47.5%) presented cognitive decline: 104 (34.8%) matching the cognitive criteria for CIND and 38 (12.7%) matching the cognitive criteria for dementia. Among all the individuals who completed the cognitive screening, 141 (48.4%) were positive for symptoms of depression, of whom 99 (34%) did not have any previous diagnosis in their medical records. CONCLUSION: There was high prevalence of cognitive impairment among these older adults in a primary care setting. A large number of older adults were found to have symptoms of depression without any diagnosis.

Structure for the work and composition of Family Health Support Unit teams: national survey - Program for Improving Primary Health Care Access and Quality (PMAQ), 2013. / Estrutura para o trabalho e composição de equipes do Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família: pesquisa nacional - Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ), 2013.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the structure of Family Health Support Unit (FHSU) teams with regard to physical space, training received, continuing education and professionals that support Primary Health Care (PHC) teams in Brazil, in 2013. METHODS: this is a descriptive study using data from the external evaluation stage of the Program for Improving Primary Health Care Access and Quality (PMAQ). RESULTS: the 1,773 FHSU teams mainly used shared clinics at primary health care centers (85.7%); 63.4% of professionals were offered specific training when they started work at their FHSU, while 67.4% were offered continuing education; the teams received support mainly from physiotherapists (87.4%) and Physical Education professionals (87,0%). CONCLUSION: the structure available for FHSU teams is in accordance with the guidelines; some FHSU professionals have not received any specific training for the job.

Family Health Support Center: health promotion, physical activity, and chronic diseases in Brazil - national PMAQ survey 2013. / Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família: promoção da saúde, atividade física e doenças crônicas no Brasil - inquérito nacional PMAQ 2013.

OBJECTIVE: to describe reported health promotion actions directed towards chronic non-communicable disease (CNCD) patients, the support of physical education professionals (PEP) and the implementation of actions to promote body practices and physical activity (BPPA) by the Family Health Support Center (FHSC) teams, according to Brazilian municipality context variables. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study, forming part of the 2013/2014 National Primary Health Care Access and Quality Improvement Program (PMAQ), by means of interviews with FHSC professionals. RESULTS: the action most reported by the teams was evaluation and rehabilitation of psychosocial conditions (90.8%); promotion of BPPA was the sixth most performed action, and was more prevalent in the Brazilian Southeast region (89.6%), in medium-sized municipalities (88.7%), with medium human development index (HDI) (86.7%); PEP provided support to 87% of the teams. CONCLUSION: FHSC were found to make an important contribution to BPPA.

[Epidemiological and socio-demographic profile of primary care workers in the South and Northeast of Brazil]. / Perfil sócio-demográfico e epidemiológico dos trabalhadores da atenção básica à saúde nas regiões Sul e Nordeste do Brasil.

In order to describe the profile of primary health care teams in 41 municipalities with more than 100 thousand inhabitants each, a total of 4,749 health workers in two States from the South (1,730) and five from the Northeast (3,019) of Brazil were included from a sample of traditional primary care units and the Family Health Program (FHP). After providing informed consent, the health workers answered a self-applied questionnaire with demographic, work-related, and their own health-related data. The principal differences between the two models involved the structuring of the teams, with the FHP including more community health agents, more women, more young workers, fewer hired on the basis of formal admissions exams, more with a single job, more precarious employment arrangements, less employment satisfaction, less time on the job, larger workloads, greater specialization in the area, and better pay. The FHP also showed worse self-perceived health and more medical appointments. Management efforts are needed to support these workers, who form the basis of the health system and are key protagonists in the development and consolidation of primary care.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of Primary Health Care in South and Northeast Brazil: methodological contributions]. / Avaliação de efetividade da Atenção Básica à Saúde em municípios das regiões Sul e Nordeste do Brasil: contribuições metodológicas.

The article presents the methodology used in the Baseline Study that evaluated the effectiveness of the Family Health Strategy as compared to traditional primary health care units. The study included 41 municipalities with more than 100 thousand inhabitants each, 21 from the South and 20 from the Northeast of Brazil. As the principal dependent variable and underlying premise for sampling in the Baseline Study, the effectiveness of program activities in the primary care units was analyzed in the population within the respective coverage areas, using an epidemiological survey. The health care model in the primary care units was the principal independent variable. Its effect on program activities was controlled according to geopolitical region, metropolitan area, and population size in the municipalities. Coverage of the activities was characterized according to socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related factors. The use of comparison groups, multiple-stage samples, standardized measures, adjustment for geographic and socio-demographic characteristics, and well-defined criteria for judging the findings are contributions by the methodology employed here for designing future studies to evaluate primary health care.

Hospitalizations for primary care-sensitive conditions in Pelotas, Brazil: 1998 to 2012. / Hospitalizações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária em Pelotas: 1998 a 2012.

OBJECTIVE:: To verify the hospitalization trend for primary care sensitive-conditions in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from 1998 to 2012. METHODS:: An ecological study compared hospitalizations rates of the city of Pelotas with the rest of state of Rio Grande do Sul. Analysis was conducted using direct standardization of rates, coefficients were stratified by sex and the Poisson regression was used. RESULTS:: Hospitalizations for sensitive conditions decreased in Pelotas and Rio Grande do Sul. In Pelotas, a 63.8% decrease was detected in the period observed, and there was a 43.1% decrease in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Poisson regression coefficients showed a decrease of 7% in Pelotas and of 4% in the rest of Rio Grande do Sul each year. CONCLUSION:: During the study period, several changes were introduced in the Brazilian Unified Health System ("Sistema Único de Saúde") that may have influenced the results, including changes in administration, health funding, and a complete reworking of primary care through the creation of the Family Health Strategy program ("Estratégia Saúde da Família").

[Quality of prenatal services in primary healthcare in Brazil: indicators and social inequalities]. / Qualidade da atenção pré-natal na rede básica de saúde do Brasil: indicadores e desigualdades sociais.

The aim of this study was to describe quality indicators for prenatal care in Brazil as part of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality (PMAQ-AB). The study analyzed number of prenatal visits, vaccination status, prescription of ferrous sulfate, physical examination, orientation, and laboratory tests, based on which a summary quality indicator was constructed. Data were collected in 2012-2013 during interviews conducted by External Evaluators of the PMAQ-AB, with 6,125 users who had done their last prenatal follow-up in Family Health units. During prenatal follow-up, 89% reported six or more visits, more than 95% received a tetanus booster and prescription of ferrous sulfate, 24% reported having received all the procedures in the physical examination, 60% received all the orientation, and 69% had all the recommended laboratory tests. Only 15% of interviewees had received adequate prenatal care, including all the recommended measures, and there was a significantly higher proportion of "complete" care in pregnant women that were older, with higher income, in the Southeast region of Brazil, in municipalities with more than 300,000 inhabitants, and in those with (HDI) in the upper quartile. There are persist social and individual inequalities that can be targeted by measures to upgrade the teams' work processes.

[Access to medicines prescribed for acute health conditions in adults in South and Northeast Brazil]. / Acesso a medicamentos para tratamento de condições agudas prescritos a adultos nas regiões Sul e Nordeste do Brasil.

This was a cross-sectional study within Brazil's Project for the Expansion and Consolidation of Family Health, 2005, with the objective of universal and free access to the medication prescribed in the last medical appointment for acute health problems and to estimate the degree to which access may have improved with inclusion of the medicines in prevailing policies and programs. The sample included 4,060 adults living in the area of primary health care units in 41 municipalities in South and Northeast Brazil. Access was greater in the South (83.2%) than in the Northeast (71%), and free access was similar (37%), with a greater share by the Family Health Program (FHP) when compared to the traditional model, especially in the Northeast. Some 60% of prescribed medicines and 50% of those on the National List of Essential Medicines (RENAME) were paid for. No variation was observed in the proportion of medicines present on the prevailing RENAME list and access. However, 40% of the medicines that were paid for can currently be obtained through the Popular Pharmacy Program. The latter program appears to emerge as a new way to guarantee access to medicines prescribed in the health system.

Lack of access and continuity of adult health care: a national population-based survey.

OBJECTIVE To describe the lack of access and continuity of health care in adults. METHODS A cross-sectional population-based study was performed on a sample of 12,402 adults aged 20 to 59 years in urban areas of 100 municipalities of 23 states in the five Brazilian geopolitical regions. Barriers to the access and continuity of health care and were investigated based on receiving, needing and seeking health care (hospitalization and accident/emergency care in the last 12 months; care provided by a doctor, by other health professional or home care in the last three months). Based on the results obtained by the description of the sample, a projection is provided for adults living in Brazilian urban areas. RESULTS The highest prevalence of lack of access to health services and to provision of care by health professionals was for hospitalization (3.0%), whilst the lowest prevalence was for care provided by a doctor (1.1%). The lack of access to care provided by other health professionals was 2.0%; to accident and emergency services, 2.1%; and to home care, 2.9%. As for prevalences, the greatest absolute lack of access occurred in emergency care (more than 360,000 adults). The main reasons were structural and organizational problems, such as unavailability of hospital beds, of health professionals, of appointments for the type of care needed and charges made for care. CONCLUSIONS The universal right to health care in Brazil has not yet been achieved. These projections can help health care management in scaling the efforts needed to overcome this problem, such as expanding the infrastructure of health services and the workforce.

Factors associated with lack of prenatal care in a large municipality.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the factors associated with a lack of prenatal care in a large municipality in southern Brazil. METHODS In this case-control age-matched study, 716 women were evaluated; of these, 179 did not receive prenatal care and 537 received prenatal care (controls). These women were identified using the Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos (Live Birth Information System) of Pelotas, RS, Southern Brazil, between 2009 and 2010. Multivariate analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (OR). RESULTS In the final model, the variables associated with a lack of prenatal care were the level of education, particularly when it was lesser than four years [OR 4.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.92;10.36], being single (OR 3.61; 95%CI 1.85;7.04), and multiparity (OR 2.89; 95%CI 1.72;4.85). The prevalence of a lack of prenatal care among administrative regions varied between 0.7% and 3.9%. CONCLUSIONS The risk factors identified must be considered when planning actions for the inclusion of women in prenatal care by both the central management and healthcare teams. These indicated the municipal areas with greater deficits in prenatal care. The reorganization of the actions to identify women with risk factors in the community can be considered to be a starting point of this process. In addition, the integration of the activities of local programs that target the mother and child is essential to constantly identify pregnant women without prenatal care.

Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família: promoção da saúde, atividade física e doenças crônicas no Brasil - inquérito nacional PMAQ 2013 / Núcleo de Apoyo a la Salud de la Familia: promoción de la salud, actividad física y enfermedades crónicas en Brasil - encuesta nacional PMAQ 2013 / Family Health Support Center: health promotion, physical activity, and chronic diseases in Brazil - national PMAQ survey 2013

Objetivo: descrever o relato de ações de promoção da saúde dirigidas a portadores de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, o apoio do profissional de educação física (PEF) e a realização da ação de promoção de práticas corporais e atividade física (PCAF) pelas equipes do Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família (NASF), segundo variáveis de contexto dos municípios do Brasil. Métodos: estudo transversal, integrante do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ) 2013/2014, mediante entrevistas a profissionais do NASF. Resultados: a ação mais relatada pelas equipes foi a avaliação e reabilitação de condições psicossociais (90,8%); a ação de promoção de PCAF foi a sexta mais realizada e teve maior prevalência no Sudeste brasileiro (89,6%), em municípios de médio porte (88,7%), com índice de desenvolvimento humano (IDH) médio (86,7%); o PEF apoiou 87% das equipes. Conclusão: revelou-se importante contribuição do NASF para as ações de PCAF.

Objetivo: describir el relato de acciones de promoción de la salud dirigidas a portadores de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT), el apoyo del profesional de educación física (PEF) y la realización de la acción de promoción de prácticas corporales y actividad física (PCAF) por los equipos del Núcleo de Apoyo a la Salud de la Familia (NASF), según variables de contexto de los municipios de Brasil. Métodos: estudio transversal, integrante del Programa Nacional de Mejoría del Acceso y de la Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ) 2013/2014, con entrevistas a profesionales del NASF. Resultados: la acción más relatada por los equipos fue la evaluación y la rehabilitación de condiciones psicosociales (90,8%); la acción de promoción de PCAF fue la sexta más realizada, tuvo mayor prevalencia en el Sudeste brasileño (89,6%), en municipios de mediano porte (88,7%), con índice de desarrollo humano (IDH) medio (86,7%); el PEF apoyó 87% de los equipos. Conclusión: se reveló una importante contribución del NASF a acciones de PCAF.

Objective: to describe reported health promotion actions directed towards chronic non-communicable disease (CNCD) patients, the support of physical education professionals (PEP) and the implementation of actions to promote body practices and physical activity (BPPA) by the Family Health Support Center (FHSC) teams, according to Brazilian municipality context variables. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study, forming part of the 2013/2014 National Primary Health Care Access and Quality Improvement Program (PMAQ), by means of interviews with FHSC professionals. Results: the action most reported by the teams was evaluation and rehabilitation of psychosocial conditions (90.8%); promotion of BPPA was the sixth most performed action, and was more prevalent in the Brazilian Southeast region (89.6%), in medium-sized municipalities (88.7%), with medium human development index (HDI) (86.7%); PEP provided support to 87% of the teams. Conclusion: FHSC were found to make an important contribution to BPPA.

Estrutura para o trabalho e composição de equipes do Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família: pesquisa nacional - Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ), 2013 / Estructura para el trabajo y composición de equipos del Núcleo de Apoyo a la Salud de la Familia, Brasil: encuesta nacional - Programa de Mejora del Acceso y la Calidad (PMAQ), 2013 / Structure for the work and composition of Family Health Support Unit teams: national survey - Program for Improving Primary Health Care Access and Quality (PMAQ), 2013

Objetivo: descrever a estrutura das equipes dos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família (NASF) quanto a espaços físicos, formação recebida, educação permanente e profissionais que apoiam as equipes de Atenção Básica à Saúde no Brasil, em 2013. Métodos: estudo descritivo, com dados da fase de avaliação externa do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ). Resultados: as 1.773 equipes de NASF utilizam, principalmente, consultórios compartilhados na unidade básica de saúde (UBS) (85,7%); para 63,4% dos profissionais, foi oferecida formação específica quando iniciaram o trabalho no NASF, e para 67,4%, educação permanente; as equipes receberam o apoio principalmente de fisioterapeutas (87,4%) e profissionais de educação física (87,0%). Conclusão: as equipes de NASF têm estrutura de acordo com o preconizado nas diretrizes; há profissionais do NASF que não receberam formação específica para o trabalho.

Objetivo: describir la estructura de los equipos de Núcleos de Apoyo a la Salud de la Familia (NASF) en relación a espacios físicos, formación recibida, educación permanente y profesionales que apoyan a los equipos de Atención Básica de Salud (ABS) en Brasil, el 2013. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, transversal, con datos de la fase de evaluación externa del Programa de Mejora del Acceso y la Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ). Resultados: los 1.773 equipos de NASF utilizan principalmente consultorios compartidos en la unidad básica de salud (UBS) (85,7%); para el 63,4% de los profesionales se ofreció formación específica cuando iniciaron el trabajo en el NASF, y para el 67,4%, educación permanente; los equipos recibieron el apoyo de fisioterapeutas (87,4%) y de profesionales de Educación Física (87%). Conclusión: los equipos del NASF tienen estructura de acuerdo con lo preconizado en las directrices del NASF; hay profesionales del NASF que no recibieron entrenamiento específico para el trabajo.

Objective: to describe the structure of Family Health Support Unit (FHSU) teams with regard to physical space, training received, continuing education and professionals that support Primary Health Care (PHC) teams in Brazil, in 2013. Methods: this is a descriptive study using data from the external evaluation stage of the Program for Improving Primary Health Care Access and Quality (PMAQ). Results: the 1,773 FHSU teams mainly used shared clinics at primary health care centers (85.7%); 63.4% of professionals were offered specific training when they started work at their FHSU, while 67.4% were offered continuing education; the teams received support mainly from physiotherapists (87.4%) and Physical Education professionals (87,0%). Conclusion: the structure available for FHSU teams is in accordance with the guidelines; some FHSU professionals have not received any specific training for the job.

[Patterns in the use of outpatient care in Brazil by patients treated through the Brazilian Unified National Health System, private health insurance, and out-of-pocket medical care]. / Padrões de utilização de atendimento médico-ambulatorial no Brasil entre usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde, da saúde suplementar e de serviços privados.

Indicators of supply, access, and use of healthcare are helpful for characterizing services, planning activities, and organizing demand. This study describes patterns of use of outpatient care and the associations with demographic and socioeconomic factors, morbidity, population size of the municipality and region, and administrative and financial classification of the provider. This was a population-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 12,402 Brazilian adults from 20 to 59 years of age living in urban areas of 100 municipalities from five regions. Prevalence of outpatient care in the three months prior to the interview was 34.6%. The Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) accounted for more than half (53.6%) of the cases, health insurance was used by 34% of the sample, and out-of-pocket services 12.4%, regardless of region, population size, and morbidity profile. Patterns of use of health services remain socially determined, resulting from the supply, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and health profile of users.

[Use of health services in Brazil: association with overweight and body fat indicators]. / Utilização de serviços de saúde no Brasil: associação com indicadores de excesso de peso e gordura abdominal.

The aim of the study was to analyze the association between use of health services and obesity in Brazilian adults. We carried out a population-based cross-sectional study in 100 districts of five Brazilian regions. The outcomes were: home care, use of medical services in the primary health care, use of medical services outside of the primary health care, use of emergency services and hospitalization. Excess weight was assessed by measurement of BMI and waist circumference (WC). Among the 8,603 subjects studied, the medical care in the primary health care was 14% and 18% higher among obese and high risk of WC, respectively, after controlled for socio-demographic variables and physical inactivity, but lost significance when adjusted for hypertension and diabetes. For the emergency services, both exposures resulted in increase of nearly 20% in the use of this service, after adjustments. The excess weight increased the use of medical services in the primary health care and emergency services.

[Food insecurity in the Northeast and South of Brazil: magnitude, associated factors, and per capita income patterns for reducing inequities]. / Insegurança alimentar no Nordeste e Sul do Brasil: magnitude, fatores associados e padrões de renda per capita para redução das iniquidades.

This article addresses food insecurity among urban Brazilian families with children under seven years. A cross-sectional study in areas covered by primary health care centers identified 5,419 families in the Northeast and 5,081 in the South of the country. Food insecurity was assessed by the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity was 22.9% in the Northeast and 7.5% in the South. According to the adjusted analysis, increased likelihood of moderate or severe food insecurity was associated with families headed by women, black or brown maternal skin color, low maternal education, low family income, and enrollment in the Bolsa Família program (conditional income transfer). Moderate or severe food insecurity would be reduced by 59.5% in the Northeast and 45.4% in the South with a per capita income of at least BRL 175.00 per month. Increased family income for the poorest families and better targeting of Bolsa Família are essential for reducing food insecurity in the country.

Prevalência de absenteísmo em consultas médicas em unidade básica de saúde do sul do Brasil / Prevalence of absenteeism in medical appointments in a basic health unit in the south of Brazil / Prevalencia de absentismo en consultas médicas en una unidad básica de salud en el sur de Brasil

Introdução: O absenteísmo às consultas médicas previamente marcadas é um problema que interfere com a efetividade dos serviços de saúde. Neste contexto, a reorganização da agenda dos profissionais é central no sentido de garantir o acolhimento e a continuidade do cuidado. Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência de absenteísmo a partir da agenda de atendimento médico de um serviço de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) de ensino de graduação e pós-graduação do município de Pelotas, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com a totalidade dos agendamentos de um mês de atendimento de cada estação do ano, entre julho de 2016 e abril de 2017. Os dados foram coletados da agenda física local, digitados e analisados em planilha Excel®. Resultados: De 3.131 consultas médicas agendadas, foram computadas 598 faltas, resultando em uma prevalência de absenteísmo de 19,2% (IC95% 17,7-20,8). Dos 153 turnos de atendimento, em apenas 2% não ocorreram ausências e, entre os demais, a prevalência variou de 4,2% a 45%. Na distribuição do absenteísmo entre os sete grupos de consultas pesquisados destacaram-se os 62,3% de absenteísmo para os atendimentos de clínica geral e os 12,2% para a realização de exame citopatológico de colo uterino. Conclusão: Os resultados mostram uma elevada prevalência de absenteísmo, especialmente nas consultas de clínica médica, o que pode acarretar problemas tanto para a continuidade do cuidado, especialmente aos usuários da clínica geral, quanto para o ensino médico na APS. Este achado é superior ao encontrado por Tristão et al. em um estudo brasileiro em serviços de saúde ambulatoriais, e inferior ao resultado descrito por Izecksohn e Ferreira em um Centro de Saúde Escola. Os autores sugerem a necessidade de mudanças organizacionais na oferta de consultas objetivando ampliar o acesso e facilitar a adesão às consultas agendadas, de forma a garantir a longitudinalidade do cuidado.

Introduction: The absenteeism at scheduled medical appointments is a problem that interferes with the effectiveness of health services. In this context, the reorganization of the professionals schedule is central in ensuring the reception and continuity of care. Objective: To describe the prevalence of absenteeism from the health care agenda of a primary health care service (APS) for undergraduate and postgraduate education in the municipality of Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with all the schedules of one month of medical appointments in each season between July 2016 and April 2017. The data were collected from the local appointment system, typed and analyzed in an Excel® worksheet. Results: Of the 3,131 scheduled medical appointments, 598 absences were recorded, resulting in a prevalence of absenteeism of 19.2% (95% CI, 17.7-20.8). Of the 153 care shifts in only 2%, there were no absences and, among others, the prevalence ranged from 4.2% to 45%. In the distribution of absenteeism among the seven groups of consultations surveyed, 62.3% of absenteeism was observed for general practitioner and 12.2% for the accomplishment of cytopathological exam of the uterine cervix. Conclusion: The results show a high prevalence of absenteeism, especially in medical clinic visits, which can lead to problems both for continuity of care, especially for general practitioners, and for medical teaching in APS. This finding is superior to that found by Tristão et al. in a Brazilian study on outpatient health services, and lower than the result described by Izecksohn and Ferreira in a School Health Center. The authors suggest the need for organizational changes aiming at increasing access and facilitating adherence to scheduled appointments, in order to guarantee the longitudinality of care.

Introducción: El absentismo a las consultas previamente marcadas es un problema que interfiere con la efectividad de los servicios de salud. En este contexto, la reorganización de la agenda de los profesionales es central en el sentido de garantizar la acogida y la continuidad del cuidado. Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de absentismo a partir de la agenda de atención médica de un servicio de Atención Primaria a la Salud (APS) de enseñanza de graduación y postgrado del municipio de Pelotas, en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con la totalidad de la planificación de un mes de atención de cada estación del año, entre julio de 2016 y abril de 2017. Los datos fueron recolectados de la agenda física local, digitados y analizados en hoja de cálculo Excel®. Resultados: De 3.131 consultas médicas programadas fueron computadas 598 faltas, resultando en una prevalencia de absentismo del 19,2% (IC95% 17,7-20,8). De los 153 turnos de atención en apenas 2% no ocurrieron ausencias y, entre los demás, la prevalencia varió del 4,2% al 45%. En la distribución del absentismo entre los siete grupos de consultas encuestadas se destacaron el 62,3% de absentismo para las atenciones de clínica general y el 12,2% para la realización de examen citopatológico del cuello del útero. Conclusión: Los resultados muestran una elevada prevalencia de absentismo, especialmente en las consultas de clínica médica, lo que puede acarrear problemas tanto para la continuidad del cuidado, especialmente a los usuarios de la clínica general, como a la enseñanza médica en la APS. Este hallazgo es superior al encontrado por Tristão et al. en un estudio brasileño en servicios de salud de ambulatorios, e inferior al resultado descrito por Izecksohn y Ferreira en un Centro de Salud Escuela. Los autores sugieren la necesidad de cambios organizacionales en la oferta de consultas con el objetivo de ampliar el acceso y facilitar la adhesión a las consultas programadas, para garantizar la longitudinalidad del cuidado.

[Physical activity during commuting by adults and elderly in Brazil: prevalence and associated factors]. / Atividade física no deslocamento em adultos e idosos do Brasil: prevalências e fatores associados.

Evidence in the literature shows that physical activity associated with commuting (routine coming and going) can have a positive impact on health. The current study describes physical activity during commuting and some associated factors. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 12,402 adults and 6,624 elderly in 100 municipalities (counties) from 23 States of Brazil. The outcome was based on the commuting section from the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity during commuting (< 150 minutes per week) was 66.6% in adults and 73.9% in the elderly. Among the elderly, the very old showed 25 times higher odds of being insufficiently active as compared to younger elders. Individuals with self-reported "white" skin color were less active in commuting. The findings show that prevalence of physical activity in commuting in Brazil is low, and that encouraging physically active commuting can be an effective strategy for increasing levels of physical activity and improving health.

Advice for salt, sugar and fat intake habits among adults: a national-based study.

INTRODUCTION: A healthy diet is recognized as an important strategy for promoting health as an essential part of non-pharmacological therapy of various health problems. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reported advice for the intake of salt, sugar and fat for the Brazilian adults living in urban areas. METHODOLOGY: National-based cross-sectional study with 12,402 adults interviewed in 100 Brazilian cities. RESULTS: The most prevalent advice was to low fat intake (38%), followed by the advice to low salt and sugar intake (36%) and sugar (29%). The percentage of receiving different advice was similar and more common among women, older people, those with a partner, higher economic class, former smokers, active and in person with physician diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes and overweight. People with white skin color received more advice to eat healthy food, except for the orientation to low salt intake. CONCLUSION: The results show a low prevalence of advice, which configures a missed opportunity to prevent health problems. Although dietary counseling should not be understood only as the transmission of advice regarding some nutrients, it is important to develop actions in order to qualify services and health professionals, allowing the population to have access to qualified information about the benefits of having healthy lifestyles.

[Pap test coverage and adequacy in the South and Northeast of Brazil]. / Cobertura e adequação do exame citopatológico de colo uterino em estados das regiões Sul e Nordeste do Brasil.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women both in Brazil and elsewhere in the world and can be averted through early detection of precursor lesions. Pap smear is still the most effective and efficient screening test. This study focused on the coverage and adequacy of Pap test and associated factors. The authors adopted a cross-sectional design with a sample of 3,939 women who had given birth in the two previous years in 41 municipalities (counties) of Brazil. Lifetime Pap test coverage was 75.3% (95%CI: 74.0-76.7), and prevalence of adequacy was 70.7% (95%CI: 69.3-72.1). Adequacy was positively associated with age over 25 years, schooling, prenatal care in the last pregnancy, and gynecological visit in the previous year, and was less frequent among primiparous women and those with lower socioeconomic status. It is thus necessary to strengthen preventive measures in vulnerable subgroups and maximize situations for use of health services.

Promotion, prevention and arterial hypertension care in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of promotion, prevention and arterial hypertension care actions in adults and to identify their association with decompensated hypertension. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted by interviewing 12,324 adults aged from 20 to 59 years, in 100 Brazilian cities. The independent variables considered as promotion, prevention and hypertension care were as follows: to have received guidance on ideal weight maintenance and physical activity practice; to have consulted a doctor; and to have had an electrocardiogram performed in the previous year. A blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm/Hg was considered to be decompensated, being the dependent variable adopted to assess quality of care. RESULTS: Of all participants, 16.3% (n = 2,004) reported a medical diagnosis of hypertension. The highest prevalences of hypertension were observed in the 50 to 59 year age group, primarily in the Southeast and Center-West regions. More than half (66.1%) of participants had a medical consultation about hypertension in the previous year, of which half (52.4%) had an electrocardiogram. Of all those with hypertension who had their blood pressure measured during interview (74.6%), less than half (42.4%) had decompensated values. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between having consulted a doctor in the previous year and decompensated blood pressure values. The proportion of decompensated hypertensive participants was significantly lower among those who had received guidance on ideal weight maintenance and physical activity practice and those who had had an electrocardiogram performed. The following factors were associated with decompensated hypertension: to be male, to be aged more than 40 years and to live in the South region.