Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on excess maternal deaths in Brazil: A two-year assessment.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimates of the COVID-19 pandemic's indirect impacts are crucial, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to update estimates of excess maternal deaths in Brazil during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was an exploratory mixed ecological study using the counterfactual approach. The observed maternal deaths were gathered from the Mortality Information System (SIM) for the period between March 2015 and February 2022. Expected deaths from March 2020 to February 2022 were estimated using quasipoisson generalized additive models, considering quadrimester, age group, and their interaction as predictor variables. Analyses were performed in R version 4.1.2, RStudio, version 2023.03.1+446 and carried out with support from the "mgcv" and "plot_model" libraries. RESULTS: A total of 5,040 maternal deaths were reported, with varying excess mortality across regions and age groups, resulting in 69% excess maternal mortality throughout Brazil during the first two years of the pandemic. The Southeast region had 50% excess mortality throughout the first two years and 76% excess in the second year. The North region had 69% excess mortality, increasing in the second year, particularly among women aged 20-34. The Northeast region showed 80% excess mortality, with a significant increase in the second year, especially among women aged 35-49. The Central-West region had 75% excess mortality, higher in the second year and statistically significant among women aged 35-49. The South region showed 117% excess mortality, reaching 203% in the second year among women aged 20-34, but no excess mortality in the 10-19 age category. CONCLUSIONS: Over two years, Brazil saw a significant impact on maternal excess deaths, regardless of region and pandemic year. The highest peak occurred between March and June 2021, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective epidemic responses to prevent avoidable deaths and prepare for new crises.

Trends in the quality of child health care in the first week of life in primary care services in Brazil. / Tendências na qualidade da atenção à saúde da criança na primeira semana de vida na Atenção Primária no Brasil.

The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends in the quality of health care during the first-week child check-up in primary care services stratified by municipal, health team and maternal characteristics. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the three cycles of the National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality (PMAQ) (2012, 2014 and 2018). Adult service users with children aged up to 2 were interviewed. The outcome was "good quality health care in the first week of life". Descriptive and time trend analyses were performed using variance-weighted least squares regression. The frequency of good quality care during the first-week check-up was 47.9% (95%CI 46.6-49.3) in 2012, 52.5% (95%CI 51.3-53.7) in 2014 and 53.3% (95%CI 52.2-54.4) in 2018, with an annual increase of 0.73 pp (p<0.001). The annual increase was greater in the Northeast (2.06 pp) and in municipalities with very low/low HDI (1.48 pp) and 100% family health strategy coverage (0.98 pp). Trends in the frequency of good quality health care during the first-week child check-up were favorable.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a tendência temporal da qualidade da atenção à saúde da criança na consulta da primeira semana de vida no nível da Atenção Primária à Saúde, segundo características dos municípios, do processo de trabalho das equipes e das usuárias responsáveis pelas crianças. Foram realizadas análises transversais com dados dos três ciclos do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ) (2012, 2014 e 2018). Usuá­rias adultas com filhos de até dois anos foram entrevistadas. O desfecho foi a "boa qualidade da atenção à saúde na primeira semana de vida". Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de tendência temporal por meio de regressão de mínimos quadrados ponderados por variância. A frequên­cia de boa qualidade na consulta da primeira semana de vida foi 47,9% (IC95% 46,6-49,3) em 2012, 52,5% (IC95% 51,3-53,7) em 2014 e 53,3% (IC95% 52,2-54,4) em 2018, com um aumento anual de 0,73 ponto percentual (p<0,001). O aumento anual foi maior na região Nordeste (2,06 pp) e com IDH muito baixo/baixo (1,48 pp) e com 100% de cobertura de ESF (0,98 pp). Ao longo dos três ciclos do PMAQ-AB houve uma evolução favorável na frequência da boa qualidade na atenção à saúde na primeira semana de vida.

Tendências na qualidade da atenção à saúde da criança na primeira semana de vida na Atenção Primária no Brasil / Trends in the quality of child health care in the first week of life in primary care services in Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a tendência temporal da qualidade da atenção à saúde da criança na consulta da primeira semana de vida no nível da Atenção Primária à Saúde, segundo características dos municípios, do processo de trabalho das equipes e das usuárias responsáveis pelas crianças. Foram realizadas análises transversais com dados dos três ciclos do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ) (2012, 2014 e 2018). Usuá­rias adultas com filhos de até dois anos foram entrevistadas. O desfecho foi a "boa qualidade da atenção à saúde na primeira semana de vida". Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de tendência temporal por meio de regressão de mínimos quadrados ponderados por variância. A frequên­cia de boa qualidade na consulta da primeira semana de vida foi 47,9% (IC95% 46,6-49,3) em 2012, 52,5% (IC95% 51,3-53,7) em 2014 e 53,3% (IC95% 52,2-54,4) em 2018, com um aumento anual de 0,73 ponto percentual (p<0,001). O aumento anual foi maior na região Nordeste (2,06 pp) e com IDH muito baixo/baixo (1,48 pp) e com 100% de cobertura de ESF (0,98 pp). Ao longo dos três ciclos do PMAQ-AB houve uma evolução favorável na frequência da boa qualidade na atenção à saúde na primeira semana de vida.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends in the quality of health care during the first-week child check-up in primary care services stratified by municipal, health team and maternal characteristics. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the three cycles of the National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality (PMAQ) (2012, 2014 and 2018). Adult service users with children aged up to 2 were interviewed. The outcome was "good quality health care in the first week of life". Descriptive and time trend analyses were performed using variance-weighted least squares regression. The frequency of good quality care during the first-week check-up was 47.9% (95%CI 46.6-49.3) in 2012, 52.5% (95%CI 51.3-53.7) in 2014 and 53.3% (95%CI 52.2-54.4) in 2018, with an annual increase of 0.73 pp (p<0.001). The annual increase was greater in the Northeast (2.06 pp) and in municipalities with very low/low HDI (1.48 pp) and 100% family health strategy coverage (0.98 pp). Trends in the frequency of good quality health care during the first-week child check-up were favorable.

Quality of care for children under two years of age in Brazil's basic network in 2018: indicators and associated factors. / Qualidade da atenção a crianças menores de dois anos na rede básica do Brasil em 2018: indicadores e fatores associados.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of care for children under two years of age in the primary health care network with data from the external evaluation of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Primary Care in 2018. METHODS: Users who had children under two years of age who were in the unit at the time of data collection were eligible for the study. The quality of care was evaluated using a synthetic indicator built with questions from the users' module. The exposure variables were: region, structure of basic health units, and staff process. A univariate analysis was performed and crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 15.745 users who had children under the age of two years. Only 36.8% (95%CI 36,0-37,6) of users were classified as having received good quality care for their children, with a downward trend in prevalence as the child's age increased. Better results were observed in the Northeast region, in units that presented all the inputs and vaccines and for teams that used protocols and materials, kept records, performed active search and healthy eating actions. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of good quality of care for children under two years of age was low. These data can be useful for managers' decision-making and for the implementation of actions aimed at professionals, that encourage a higher quality of care to children, mainly the child leaving a consultation with the next appointment scheduled and a first consultation being carried out until their seventh day of life.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade da atenção a menores de dois anos na rede básica, com dados da avaliação externa do Programa de Melhoria de Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica em 2018. MÉTODOS: Foram elegíveis para o estudo usuários com filhos menores de dois anos que estavam na unidade no momento da coleta de dados. A qualidade de atenção foi avaliada por meio de um indicador sintético construído com questões do módulo de usuários. As exposições foram: região, estrutura das unidades básicas de saúde e processo de trabalho das equipes. Realizou-se análise univariada e estimaram-se as razões de prevalências brutas e ajustadas. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta de 15.745 usuários que possuíam filhos menores de dois anos. Apenas 36,8% (intervalo de confiança ­ IC95% 36,0­37,6) dos usuários foram classificados como tendo recebido atenção de boa qualidade para as crianças, com redução das prevalências de acordo com o aumento da idade da criança. Observaram-se melhores resultados para a Região Nordeste, em unidades que apresentaram todos os insumos e vacinas e nas equipes que utilizavam protocolos e materiais, realizavam os registros, a busca ativa e ações de alimentação saudável. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de qualidade de atenção a menores de dois anos foi baixa. Os dados podem ser úteis para decisões de gestores e para a execução de ações voltadas para os profissionais, que incentivem maior qualidade de cuidado com a criança, principalmente com relação a, após a consulta, a criança já sair com a próxima marcada e à realização de consulta até os sete dias de vida.

Qualidade da atenção a crianças menores de dois anos na rede básica do Brasil em 2018: indicadores e fatores associados / Quality of care for children under two years of age in Brazil's basic network in 2018: indicators and associated factors

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da atenção a menores de dois anos na rede básica, com dados da avaliação externa do Programa de Melhoria de Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica em 2018. Métodos: Foram elegíveis para o estudo usuários com filhos menores de dois anos que estavam na unidade no momento da coleta de dados. A qualidade de atenção foi avaliada por meio de um indicador sintético construído com questões do módulo de usuários. As exposições foram: região, estrutura das unidades básicas de saúde e processo de trabalho das equipes. Realizou-se análise univariada e estimaram-se as razões de prevalências brutas e ajustadas. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de 15.745 usuários que possuíam filhos menores de dois anos. Apenas 36,8% (intervalo de confiança — IC95% 36,0-37,6) dos usuários foram classificados como tendo recebido atenção de boa qualidade para as crianças, com redução das prevalências de acordo com o aumento da idade da criança. Observaram-se melhores resultados para a Região Nordeste, em unidades que apresentaram todos os insumos e vacinas e nas equipes que utilizavam protocolos e materiais, realizavam os registros, a busca ativa e ações de alimentação saudável. Conclusão: A prevalência de qualidade de atenção a menores de dois anos foi baixa. Os dados podem ser úteis para decisões de gestores e para a execução de ações voltadas para os profissionais, que incentivem maior qualidade de cuidado com a criança, principalmente com relação a, após a consulta, a criança já sair com a próxima marcada e à realização de consulta até os sete dias de vida.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the quality of care for children under two years of age in the primary health care network with data from the external evaluation of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Primary Care in 2018. Methods Users who had children under two years of age who were in the unit at the time of data collection were eligible for the study. The quality of care was evaluated using a synthetic indicator built with questions from the users' module. The exposure variables were: region, structure of basic health units, and staff process. A univariate analysis was performed and crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated. Results The sample was composed of 15.745 users who had children under the age of two years. Only 36.8% (95%CI 36,0-37,6) of users were classified as having received good quality care for their children, with a downward trend in prevalence as the child's age increased. Better results were observed in the Northeast region, in units that presented all the inputs and vaccines and for teams that used protocols and materials, kept records, performed active search and healthy eating actions. Conclusion The prevalence of good quality of care for children under two years of age was low. These data can be useful for managers' decision-making and for the implementation of actions aimed at professionals, that encourage a higher quality of care to children, mainly the child leaving a consultation with the next appointment scheduled and a first consultation being carried out until their seventh day of life.

Quality of newborn healthcare in the first week of life in Brazil's primary care network: a cross-sectional multilevel analysis of the National Programme for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality - PMAQ.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of good quality child care in the first week of life in primary care services in Brazil and identify associated factors related to maternal, primary healthcare (PHC) facility and municipality characteristics. SETTING: Brazilian PHC. PARTICIPANTS: 6715 users of PHC facilities aged over 18 years with children under 2 years of age. PRIMARY OUTCOME: The good quality child care was defined when the following health interventions were performed during postnatal check-up in the first week of life: the child was weighed and measured; the healthcare professional observed breastfeeding techniques and offered counselling on the safest sleeping position; the umbilical cord was examined and the heel prick test was performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of good quality care was 52.6% (95% CI 51.4% to 53.8%). Observation of breastfeeding techniques (75.9%) and counselling on the safest sleeping position (72.3%) were the activities least performed. Babies born to mothers who received a home visit from a community health worker and made a postpartum visit were twice as likely to receive good quality care (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.70 to 2.24 and OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.74 to 2.24, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The information reported by the mothers related to Family Health team work processes was associated with good quality care in the first week of life. Supporting strategies that strengthen health team active search and timely screening actions could promote adequate early childhood development.

Prenatal care in Brazil: a cross-sectional study of the Program for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality, 2014. / Pré-natal no Brasil: estudo transversal do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica, 2014.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the adequacy of primary health care center structure, requests for tests and prenatal care reported by female health service users within the scope of the Program for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ) in Brazil. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study using PMAQ Cycle II (2014) data. RESULTS: data from 9,909 health centers, 9,905 teams, and 9,945 female health service users were included; 70.1% (95%CI 69.2;71.0) of health centers had adequate structure; 88.0% (95%CI 87.4;88.7) of the teams requested all tests; 59.8% (95%CI 58.8;60.8) of female health service users reported receiving total guidance, and 23.4% of them (95%CI 22.5;24.2) underwent all physical examination procedures; teams that participated in both Cycle I and Cycle II presented better results. CONCLUSION: in spite of shortcomings in Primary Care structure and work process in Brazil, PMAQ appears to positively affect prenatal care.

Pré-natal no Brasil: estudo transversal do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica, 2014 / Prenatal en Brasil: estudio transversal del Programa de mejora del acceso y la calidad de la Atención Primaria, 2014 / Prenatal care in Brazil: a cross-sectional study of the Program for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality, 2014

Objetivo: descrever a adequação da estrutura das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS), solicitação de exames pelas equipes e atenção ao pré-natal referida pelas usuárias, no âmbito do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ). Métodos: estudo transversal, com dados do Ciclo II do PMAQ, em 2014. Resultados: foram incluídos dados de 9.909 unidades, 9.905 equipes e 9.945 usuárias; apresentaram estrutura adequada 70,1% (IC95% 69,2;71,0) das UBS; 88,0% (IC95% 87,4;88,7) das equipes solicitaram todos os exames; entre as usuárias, 59,8% (IC95% 58,8;60,8) afirmaram ter recebido todas as orientações e 23,4% (IC95% 22,5;24,2) receberam todos os procedimentos de exame físico; equipes participantes dos Ciclos I e II apresentaram melhores resultados. Conclusão: não obstante as deficiências na estrutura e no processo de trabalho da Atenção Básica no Brasil, o PMAQ parece afetar positivamente a atenção pré-natal.

Objetivo: describir la adecuación de las estructuras en las Unidades Básicas de Salud (UBS), solicitud de exámenes y atención al prenatal referida por los usuarios, en el marco del Programa para Mejorar el Acceso y la Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ) en Brasil. Métodos: estudio transversal, con datos del Ciclo II del PMAQ, en 2014. Resultados: se incluyeron datos de 9,909 unidades, 9,905 equipos y 9,945 usuarias; presentaron una estructura adecuada 70,1% (IC95% 69,2;71,0) de las UBS; 88,0% (IC95% IC 87,4;88,7) de los equipos solicitaron todos los exámenes; entre las usuarias, 59,8% (IC95% 58.8;60.8) informó haber recibido todas las orientaciones y el 23,4% (IC95% 22,5;24,2) de ellas recibió todos los procedimientos de examen físico; los equipos participantes en los Ciclos I y II presentaron mejores resultados. Conclusión: a pesar de las deficiencias en la estructura y el proceso de trabajo de la Atención Primaria en Brasil, el PMAQ parece afectar positivamente la atención prenatal.

Objective: to describe the adequacy of primary health care center structure, requests for tests and prenatal care reported by female health service users within the scope of the Program for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ) in Brazil. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study using PMAQ Cycle II (2014) data. Results: data from 9,909 health centers, 9,905 teams, and 9,945 female health service users were included; 70.1% (95%CI 69.2;71.0) of health centers had adequate structure; 88.0% (95%CI 87.4;88.7) of the teams requested all tests; 59.8% (95%CI 58.8;60.8) of female health service users reported receiving total guidance, and 23.4% of them (95%CI 22.5;24.2) underwent all physical examination procedures; teams that participated in both Cycle I and Cycle II presented better results. Conclusion: in spite of shortcomings in Primary Care structure and work process in Brazil, PMAQ appears to positively affect prenatal care.

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in stunting prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean countries: differences between quintiles and deciles.

BACKGROUND: With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is a renewed commitment of tackling the varied challenges of undernutrition, particularly stunting (SDG 2.2). Health equity is also a priority in the SDG agenda and there is an urgent need for disaggregated analyses to identify disadvantaged subgroups. We compared time trends in socioeconomic inequalities obtained through stratification by wealth quintiles and deciles for stunting prevalence. METHODS: We used 37 representative Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster surveys from nine Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries conducted between 1996 and 2016. Stunting in children under-5 years was assessed according to the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards and stratified by wealth quintiles and deciles. Within-country socioeconomic inequalities were measured through concentration index (CIX) and slope index of inequality (SII). We used variance-weighted least squares regression to estimate annual changes. RESULTS: Eight out of nine countries showed a statistical evidence of reduction in stunting prevalence over time. Differences between extreme deciles were larger than between quintiles in most of countries and at every point in time. However, when using summary measures of inequality, there were no differences in the estimates of SII with the use of deciles and quintiles. In absolute terms, there was a reduction in socioeconomic inequalities in Peru, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Belize, Suriname and Colombia. In relative terms, there was an increase in socioeconomic inequalities in Peru, Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras and Guatemala. CONCLUSIONS: LAC countries have made substantial progress in terms of reducing stunting,. Nevertheless, renewed actions are needed to improve equity. Particularly in those countries were absolute and relative inequalities did not change over time such Bolivia and Guatemala. Finer breakdowns in wealth distribution are expected to elucidate more differences between subgroups; however, this approach is relevant to cast light on those subgroups that are still lagging behind within populations and inform equity-oriented health programs and practices.

Ethnic group inequalities in coverage with reproductive, maternal and child health interventions: cross-sectional analyses of national surveys in 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

BACKGROUND: Latin American and Caribbean populations include three main ethnic groups: indigenous people, people of African descent, and people of European descent. We investigated ethnic inequalities among these groups in population coverage with reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health interventions. METHODS: We analysed 16 standardised, nationally representative surveys carried out from 2004 to 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean that provided information on ethnicity or a proxy indicator (household language or skin colour) and on coverage of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health interventions. We selected four outcomes: coverage with modern contraception, antenatal care coverage (defined as four or more antenatal visits), and skilled attendants at birth for women aged 15-49 years; and coverage with three doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT3) vaccine among children aged 12-23 months. We classified women and children as indigenous, of African descent, or other ancestry (reference group) on the basis of their self-reported ethnicity or language. Mediating variables included wealth quintiles (based on household asset indices), woman's education, and urban-rural residence. We calculated crude and adjusted coverage ratios using Poisson regression. FINDINGS: Ethnic gaps in coverage varied substantially from country to country. In most countries, coverage with modern contraception (median coverage ratio 0·82, IQR 0·66-0·92), antenatal care (0·86, 0·75-0·94), and skilled birth attendants (0·75, 0·68-0·92) was lower among indigenous women than in the reference group. Only three countries (Nicaragua, Panama, and Paraguay) showed significant gaps in DPT3 coverage between the indigenous and the reference groups. The differences were attenuated but persisted after adjustment for wealth, education, and residence. Women and children of African descent showed similar coverage to the reference group in most countries. INTERPRETATION: The lower coverage levels for indigenous women are pervasive, and cannot be explained solely by differences in wealth, education, or residence. Interventions delivered at community level-such as vaccines-show less inequality than those requiring access to services, such as birth attendance. Regular monitoring of ethnic inequalities is essential to evaluate existing initiatives aimed at the inclusion of minorities and to plan effective multisectoral policies and programmes. FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (through the Countdown to 2030 initiative) and the Wellcome Trust.