Clayton copula for survival data with dependent censoring: An application to a tuberculosis treatment adherence data.

Ignoring the presence of dependent censoring in data analysis can lead to biased estimates, for example, not considering the effect of abandonment of the tuberculosis treatment may influence inferences about the cure probability. In order to assess the relationship between cure and abandonment outcomes, we propose a copula Bayesian approach. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to introduce a Bayesian survival regression model, capable of taking into account the dependent censoring in the adjustment. So, this proposed approach is based on Clayton's copula, to provide the relation between survival and dependent censoring times. In addition, the Weibull and the piecewise exponential marginal distributions are considered in order to fit the times. A simulation study is carried out to perform comparisons between different scenarios of dependence, different specifications of prior distributions, and comparisons with the maximum likelihood inference. Finally, we apply the proposed approach to a tuberculosis treatment adherence dataset of an HIV cohort from Alvorada-RS, Brazil. Results show that cure and abandonment outcomes are negatively correlated, that is, as long as the chance of abandoning the treatment increases, the chance of tuberculosis cure decreases.

Factors associated with loss to follow up among HIV-exposed children: a historical cohort study from 2000 to 2017, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: There are many inequalities in terms of prevention and treatment for pregnant women with HIV and exposed children in low and middle-income countries. The Brazilian protocol for prenatal care includes rapid diagnostic testing for HIV, compulsory notification, and monitoring by the epidemiological surveillance of children exposed to HIV until 18 months after delivery. The case is closed after HIV serology results are obtained. Lost to follow-up is defined as a child who was not located at the end of the case, and, therefore, did not have a laboratory diagnosis. Lost to follow-up is a current problem and has been documented in other countries. This study analyzed factors associated with loss to follow-up among HIV-exposed children, including sociodemographic, behavioral, and health variables of mothers of children lost to follow-up. METHODS: This historical cohort study included information on mothers of children exposed to HIV, born in Porto Alegre, from 2000 to 2017. The research outcome was the classification at the end of the child's follow-up (lost to follow-up or not). Factors associated with loss to follow-up were investigated using the Poisson regression model. Relative Risk calculations were performed. The significance level of 5% was adopted for variables in the adjusted model. RESULTS: Of 6,836 children exposed to HIV, 1,763 (25.8%) were classified as lost to follow-up. The factors associated were: maternal age of up to 22 years (aRR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09-1.43), the mother's self-declared race/color being black or mixed (aRR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.25), up to three years of schooling (aRR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.26-1.67), between four and seven years of schooling (aRR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.28), intravenous drug use (aRR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12-1.50), and HIV diagnosis during prenatal care or at delivery (aRR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.24-1.52). CONCLUSION: Variables related to individual vulnerability, such as race, age, schooling, and variables related to social and programmatic vulnerability, remain central to reducing loss to follow-up among HIV-exposed children.

Factors Associated with HIV and Vulnerability Contexts for Women in Brazil.

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with HIV and vulnerability contexts for women in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The participants were 1326 women recruited by complex sampling design, divided into two groups: 640 women with HIV (WLH) and 686 women who did not have HIV (WNLH). Gross and weighted statistical analyses were performed. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for 12 variables. The main results demonstrated that WLH had lower income (p < .001) and poorer education (p = .038), and few used condoms during their first sexual intercourse (p < .001). The occurrence of HIV was higher among the black population (p < .001). Sex in exchange for money (p < .001) and sexually transmitted infections (p < .001) were more frequent among WLH than among WNLH. The age of sexual debut and age difference from the partner at first sexual intercourse (FSI) were not associated with the outcome. The high percentage of non-use of condoms during the FSI shows how vulnerable individuals are right at the beginning of their sexual lives. More effective prevention strategies can be developed by nurses in view of the contexts of vulnerability surrounding women.

Community health workers programme in Luanda, Angola: an evaluation of the implementation process.

BACKGROUND: The Community Health Workers (CHWs) Programme was launched in Luanda, Angola, in 2007 as an initiative of the provincial government. The aim of this study was to assess its implementation process. METHODS: This is a case study with documental analysis, CHWs reports data, individual interviews and focus groups. RESULTS: Until June 2009, the programme had placed in the community 2,548 trained CHWs, providing potential coverage for 261,357 families. Analysis of qualitative data suggested an association of CHWs with improvements in maternal and child access to health care, as well as an increase in the demand for health services, generating further need to improve service capacity. Nevertheless, critical points for programme sustainability were identified. CONCLUSIONS: For continuity and scaling up, the programme needs medium- and long-term technical, political and financial support. The results of this study may be useful in strengthening and reformulating the planning of the CHWs programme in Luanda and in Angola. Moreover, the lessons learned with this experience can also provide insight for the development of CHWs programmes in other parts of the world. By means of cooperation, Brazil has supported the implementation of this CHWs programme and can potentially contribute to its improvement.

Marker events associated with adherence to HIV/AIDS treatment in a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze how clinical and social events may impact adherence to antiretroviral treatment for HIV. METHODS: This is a historical cohort study with 528 patients who underwent treatment for HIV in a specialized care service in Alvorada, RS. A total of 3429 queries executed between the years 2004 and 2017 were analyzed. For each visit, data on treatment characteristics and the patients' clinical picture were collected. Adherence, as measured by patients' self-report, was the endpoint of the study. The logistic regression model via generalized estimating equations was used for estimating the associations. RESULTS: 67.8% of the patients analyzed have up to 8 years of education and 24.8% have a history of crack and/or cocaine use. Among men, being asymptomatic [odds ratio (OR) = 1.43; 95%CI 1.05-1.93], having more than 8 years of education (OR= 2.32; 95%CI 1.27-4.23), and never having used crack (RC = 2.35; 95%CI 1.20-4.57) were associated with adherence. For women, being older than 24 years (CR = 1.82; 95%CI 1.09-3.02), never having used cocaine (CR = 2.54; 95%CI 1.32-4.88) and being pregnant (RC = 3.28; 95%CI 1.83-5.89) increased the odds of adherence. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to defined sociodemographic characteristics, one-off events that may occur in the trajectory of patients on long treatment, such as starting a new pregnancy and not having symptoms, can impact patients' chances of treatment adherence.

Self-medication in children aged 0-12 years in Brazil: a population-based study.

OBJETIVE: Studies have shown that the practice of self-medicating children occurs worldwide and is independent of the country's economic level, medication policies, or access to health services. This study aimed to estimate and characterize the prevalence of self-medication in the Brazilian population of children aged up to 12 years. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 7528 children aged up to 12 years whose primary caregivers responded to the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines in Brazil (PNAUM), a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in 245 Brazilian municipalities. The prevalence of self-medication was defined as the use of at least one medication without a doctor's or dentist's indication 15 days before the interview. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication was 22.2% and was more frequent in older children belonging to poorer families and without health insurance. The acute conditions for which there was a higher frequency of self-medication were pain, fever, and cold/allergic rhinitis. Analgesics/antipyretics stood out among the most used medications for self-medication. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-medication to treat acute conditions was high in Brazilian children sampled in PNAUM, emphasizing the management of common symptoms such as pain, fever, and cold/allergic rhinitis in this age group. These findings reinforce the need for educational actions aimed at parents and caregivers.

Inconsistent condom use with casual partners among men who have sex with men in Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with inconsistent condom use with casual partners in a population of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil. METHODS: In 2016, 4,176 MSM >18 years were enrolled in 12 capitals of Brazil using a Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method. For the construction of the outcome, we evaluated questions about condom use in all anal intercourse (receptive and insertive) in the previous six months and the last sexual intercourse. Estimates were calculated using a weighted complex sample design. We performed a logistic regression analysis to determine the associations between sociodemographic and behavioral factors and inconsistent condom use in sexual relationships with casual male partners. RESULTS: More than half of our sample (50.8%) had not used condoms consistently with casual partners in the previous six months. Inconsistent condom use was significantly associated with: low education (weighted odds ratio - wOR: 1.55; 95% confidence interval - CI 0.99-2.40), lack of counseling on sexually transmitted infections STI (wOR: 1.51; 95%CI 1.05-2.17), non-use of condoms at sexual debut (wOR: 3.05; 95%CI 2.12-4.40) and moderate and high perceived risk for HIV (wOR: 1.51; 95%CI 1.07-2.14). Higher age was negatively associated with inconsistent condom use (wOR=0.97, 95%CI 0.89-0.99). CONCLUSION: Despite being an individual behavior, condom use is related to factors beyond the individual scope. HIV/Aids prevention policies should focus on younger MSM, providing qualified information about condom use, preferably before the beginning of their sexual life.

[Factors associated with inconsistent condom use among men who have sex with men in Brazil and their commercial sexual partners]. / Fatores associados ao uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais entre homens que fazem sexo com homens no Brasil.

We aimed to analyze the factors associated with inconsistent condom use among men who have sex with men (MSM) and their commercial sexual partners in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with adult MSM who were recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in 12 Brazilian capitals in 2016. MSM answered a sociobehavioral questionnaire which included questions on their sexual behavior. The inconsistent use of condoms with their clientele was measured via insertive and receptive anal sex in the six months prior to our research and in their last sexual intercourse. The association between independent variables and the inconsistent use of condoms was measured via a Poisson regression model with robust variance and estimation of adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR). Data from 461 MSM were analyzed. We found a 26% prevalence of inconsistent condom use with their clientele (95%CI: 19.0-34.3, n = 123). Belonging to the lowest economic classes (D/E), having medium or low knowledge about HIV, having practiced insertive and receptive anal sex, and having never tested for HIV throughout their lives were associated with inconsistent use of condoms with their clientele. The variables associated with inconsistent use indicated that commercial sex is practiced in a context of greater vulnerability to HIV infection, referring to the need for biomedical and behavioral interventions which focus on access to and use of prevention strategies together with public policies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities among MSM who practice commercial sexual.

O objetivo foi analisar os fatores associados ao uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais entre homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH) no Brasil. Foi feito um estudo transversal, com HSH adultos, recrutados por meio da técnica respondent-driven sampling (RDS), em 12 capitais brasileiras, em 2016. Os HSH responderam a um questionário sociocomportamental, que incluía questões sobre o comportamento sexual. O uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais foi mensurado por meio das relações sexuais anais insertivas e receptivas, ocorridas nos últimos seis meses e na última relação sexual. A associação entre as variáveis independentes e o uso inconsistente de preservativo foi mensurada utilizando o modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, com estimação de razões de prevalência ajustadas (RPa). Foram analisados dados de 461 HSH. A prevalência de uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais foi de 26% (IC95%: 19,0-34,3, n = 123). Pertencer às classes econômicas mais baixas (D/E), ter médio ou baixo conhecimento sobre HIV, ter praticado sexo anal insertivo e receptivo e nunca ter realizado teste para HIV na vida são fatores que estiveram associados ao uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais. As variáveis associadas ao uso inconsistente indicaram que o sexo comercial está sendo praticado em um contexto de maior vulnerabilidade à infecção pelo HIV. Nesse sentido, são necessárias intervenções biomédicas e comportamentais, com foco no acesso e na utilização de estratégias de prevenção, aliadas a políticas públicas para a redução de desigualdades socioeconômicas entre HSH que praticam sexo comercial.

El objetivo fue analizar los factores asociados al uso inconsistente del preservativo con las parejas comerciales entre los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) en Brasil. Estudio transversal, con HSH adultos, reclutados a través de la técnica respondent-driven sampling (RDS), en 12 capitales brasileñas, en 2016. Los HSH respondieron a un cuestionario sociocomportamental que incluía preguntas sobre el comportamiento sexual. El uso inconsistente del preservativo con parejas comerciales se midió por las relaciones anales insertivas y receptivas que se produjeron en los últimos seis meses y por la última relación sexual. La asociación entre las variables independientes y el uso inconsistente del preservativo se midió mediante el modelo de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta, con estimación de las razones de prevalencia ajustadas (RPa). Se analizaron los datos de 461 HSH. La prevalencia del uso inconsistente del preservativo con las parejas comerciales fue del 26% (IC95%: 19,0-34,3, n = 123). Pertenecer a las clases económicas más bajas (D/E), tener un conocimiento medio o bajo sobre el VIH, haber practicado sexo anal tanto insertivo como receptivo y no haberse sometido nunca a la prueba del VIH en su vida se asociaron con el uso inconsistente del preservativo con las parejas comerciales. Las variables asociadas al uso inconsistente indicaron que el sexo comercial se está practicando en un contexto de mayor vulnerabilidad a la infección por el VIH, refiriendo la necesidad de intervenciones biomédicas y conductuales, con un enfoque en el acceso y uso de estrategias de prevención, junto con políticas públicas para reducir las desigualdades socioeconómicas entre los HSH que practican el sexo comercial.

[Role of physicians' attributes in the production of the person-centered approach in primary health care]. / Papel dos atributos dos profissionais médicos na produção da abordagem centrada na pessoa em atenção primária à saúde.

Even though several factors influence the medical approach, there is few research examining the association of characteristics at the doctor's level with the kind of practice developed by this provider. This study aims at establishing the factors that, at the doctor's level, are associated with the high degree of patient-centered clinical method (PCCM) orientation assigned by the cared persons to the approach of this provider in primary health care (PHC). This cross-sectional study was conducted with hypertensive or diabetic patients and doctors in the 12 health care centers of a PHC service in Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. The "Patient Perception of Patient-Centeredness" (PPPC) tool was used to measure the degree of PCCM orientation. The variables concerning the doctor's age, gender, time since graduation, service and unit seniority, and participation in continuing education outside the studied service were correlated with the median of the PPPC general score estimated for each professional. We also found a significant difference in the comparison between the medians of the PPPC general score in each health care center. We discuss the influence of professional experience, gender, continuing education, and the context on the approach developed by the doctor.

Embora inúmeros fatores influenciem a abordagem médica, poucas pesquisas exploram a associação de características presentes no nível do médico com o tipo de prática por ele desempenhada. Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar os fatores que, no nível do médico, associam-se ao alto grau de orientação ao método clínico centrado na pessoa (MCCP), atribuído, pelas pessoas atendidas, à abordagem desse profissional em atenção primária à saúde (APS). O delineamento é transversal, realizado com pacientes hipertensos e/ou diabéticos e médicos em 12 unidades de um serviço de APS em Porto Alegre, RS. Para se medir o grau de orientação ao MCCP, utilizou-se o instrumento "Percepção do paciente sobre o centramento da consulta" (PPCC). As variáveis idade do médico, gênero, tempo de formado, de trabalho no serviço e na unidade e participação em educação continuada fora do serviço estudado foram correlacionadas com a mediana do escore geral do PPCC estimada para cada profissional. Verificou-se também diferença significativa na comparação entre as medianas do escore geral do PPCC de cada unidade de saúde. Discute-se a influência da experiência profissional, do gênero, da educação continuada e do contexto na abordagem desempenhada pelo médico.

Women victims of sexual violence: critical paths in the search for the right to legal abortion. / Mulheres vítimas de violência sexual: rotas críticas na busca do direito ao aborto legal.

Legal abortion in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape has been provided for in Brazil since 1940. However, access to this right is still very restricted, and there are numerous barriers that hinder women's access to referral services that perform the procedure. This article discusses the trajectory of women who had an abortion due to rape from 2000 to 2018 at a public referral hospital in the city of Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil). This is a qualitative, documentary, and retrospective study that used the concept of Critical Paths to understand the difficulties encountered by the women, the decisions made in the face of sexual violence and the discovery of pregnancy, as well as, the consequences resulting from this situation. Data were collected from women's medical records, totaling 127 cases. Based on the content analysis, three interrelated categories were identified and subsequently ordered to explain the sequence of facts, actions, and complications in women's lives, according to the dynamics of the critical paths produced: Between the secrecy of violence and the silencing of rights; Psychological illness and social disorganization; Institutional flows: validation of the word and conscientious objection. We noticed that there is a silencing in the face of sexual violence, and the performance of legal abortion proved to be an invisible problem surrounded by stigmas. The psychosocial disorganization resulting from violence was aggravated by misinformation, the precariousness of the service networks, and the professionals' conscientious objection.

O aborto legal nos casos de gravidez resultante de estupro é previsto no Brasil desde 1940. No entanto, o acesso a esse direito ainda é muito restrito, havendo inúmeras barreiras que dificultam o acesso das mulheres aos serviços de referência que realizam o procedimento. Este artigo discute a trajetória das mulheres que realizaram aborto por estupro entre 2000 e 2018 em um hospital público de referência na cidade de Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil). Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, documental e retrospectivo, que utilizou o conceito das Rotas Críticas para compreender as dificuldades enfrentadas, as decisões tomadas diante da violência sexual e da descoberta da gravidez e as consequências oriundas dessa situação. Os dados foram coletados dos prontuários clínicos das mulheres, totalizando 127 casos. A partir da análise de conteúdo, foram traçadas três categorias que se inter-relacionam, sendo ordenadas de modo a explicitar a sequência de fatos, ações e intercorrências na vida das mulheres, de acordo com a dinâmica das rotas críticas produzidas: entre o segredo da violência e o silenciamento do direito; o adoecimento psíquico e a desorganização social; fluxos institucionais: validação da palavra e objeção de consciência. Percebeu-se que existe um silenciamento diante da violência sexual, sendo que a realização do aborto legal se mostrou um problema invisibilizado e cercado de estigmas. A desorganização psicossocial decorrente da violência foi agravada pela desinformação, pela precariedade das redes de atendimento e pela objeção de consciência dos profissionais.

Se admite el aborto legal en casos de embarazo resultante de violación en Brasil desde 1940. Sin embargo, el acceso a este derecho sigue siendo muy restringido, con muchas barreras que dificultan el acceso de las mujeres a los servicios de referencia que realizan el procedimiento. Este artículo discute la trayectoria de las mujeres que tuvieron abortos por violación entre 2000 y 2018 en un hospital público de referencia en la ciudad de Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil). Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, documental y retrospectivo, que utilizó el concepto de Rutas Críticas para comprender las dificultades enfrentadas, las decisiones que se adoptaron ante la violencia sexual, el descubrimiento del embarazo y las consecuencias derivadas de esta situación. Se recogieron datos de los historiales clínicos de las mujeres, con un total de 127 casos. A partir del análisis de contenido, se delinearon tres categorías que se interrelacionan, ordenándose para explicar la secuencia de hechos, acciones y complicaciones en la vida de las mujeres, de acuerdo con la dinámica de las rutas críticas: entre el secretismo de la violencia y el silenciamiento de la ley; la enfermedad psíquica y la desorganización social; y los flujos institucionales: validación de la palabra y objeción de conciencia. Se notó que hay un silenciamiento frente a la violencia sexual, y la realización del aborto legal demostró ser un problema invisibilizado y rodeado de estigmas. La desorganización psicosocial derivada de la violencia se agravó por la desinformación, las redes de atención precarias y la objeción de conciencia de los profesionales.

Barriers and facilitators to influenza vaccination observed by officers of national immunization programs in South America countries with contrasting coverage rates.

Influenza is a severe, vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccination programs across Latin American countries show contrasting coverage rates, from 29% in Paraguay to 89% in Brazil. This study explores how national influenza vaccination programs in the chosen South American countries address vaccine confidence and convenience, as well as complacency toward the disease. Barriers and facilitators to influenza vaccination programs in their relation to vaccine hesitancy were observed by documentary analysis and interviews with 38 national immunization program officers in high- (Brazil and Chile) and low-performing (Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) countries. Influenza vaccination policies, financing, purchasing, coordination, and accessibility are considered good or acceptable. National communication strategies focus on vaccine availability during campaigns. In Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, anti-vaccine propaganda was mentioned as a problem. Programming and implementation face human resource shortages across most countries. Statistical information, health information systems, and nominal risk-group records are available, with limitations in Peru and Paraguay. Health promotion, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation are perceived as opportunities to address confidence and complacency. Influenza vaccination programs identify and act on most barriers and facilitators affecting influenza vaccine hesitancy via supply-side strategies which mostly address vaccine convenience. Confidence and complacency are insufficiently addressed, except for Uruguay. Programs have the opportunity to develop integral supply and demand-side approaches.

Perception of discrimination due to sexual orientation and associated factors among men who have sex with men in 12 Brazilian cities.

Discrimination due to sexual orientation (DDSO) has an important association with health outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aimed to analyze factors associated with DDSO among MSM in 12 Brazilian cities. This is a cross-sectional study with 4,176 MSM participants recruited in 2016 which used a respondent-driven sampling method in 12 Brazilian cities. DDSO levels were previously identified by a latent class analysis based on 13 variables from the discrimination section. An ordinal logistic regression was used to assess associations with these DDSO levels, and weighted ordinal odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using Gile's estimator. Most participants were young (< 25 years old) black or of mixed-race (pardo), single individuals who had a religious affiliation, primary or incomplete secondary education, and a high and average socioeconomic status. More than half (65%) reported DDSO in the 12 months prior to this study. We observed an independent association among the four latent DDSO classes and the following variables: age < 25 years old (OR = 1.66; 95%CI: 1.21-2.27), white skin color (OR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.02-2.01), history of sexual (OR = 2.33; 95%CI: 1.58-3.43) and physical violence (OR = 3.08; 95%CI: 2.11-4.49), disclosure of their sexual orientation as MSM to their fathers (OR = 2.00; 95%CI: 1.47-2.72), experienced suicidal ideation in the two weeks prior to this study (OR = 2.09; 95%CI: 1.46-2.98), and use of any illicit drugs in the last six months (OR = 1.61; 95%CI: 1.19-2.18). Our results indicate that contextual factors may contribute to high DDSO levels among MSM in Brazil. Public health policies toward human rights surveillance and protection among MSM must be urgently addressed.

[Analysis of records for women that have undergone legally authorized abortions in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil]. / Análise dos registros de atendimentos de mulheres que realizaram aborto previsto em lei em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Abortion as allowed by law in Brazil is a right that is rarely enforced, due to the multiple barriers to access. Another troublesome issue related to the health system's organization is the difficulty in obtaining reliable and easily accessible records to back monitoring and evaluation of legally authorized abortion. The current study thus aimed to analyze the patient records of women that had undergone legal abortion in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, from 2013 to 2018 and to identify the procedure's prevalence in the Hospital Information System (SIH). The study analyzed on site the patient files for legally permitted abortions performed in the four referral services in the city. The authors cross-analyzed the data with the database of the SIH under the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). Prevalence ratio was estimated with a Poisson regression model with robust variance. Examination of the patient files identified 236 cases of legal abortion, of which 95 (40.3%) were recorded in the SIH. The cases in which the patient files contained ICD O04 (medical abortion) identified in their internal records had 3.02 times higher prevalence (95%CI: 1.83-4.98) of being recorded in the SIH than those without the ICD code. The number of records of legal abortions in the SIH differed according to the hospital. However, independently of the hospital, the fact that the internal record listed ICD O04 increased the prevalence of records in the SIH. In conclusion, the lack of standardization and under-recording hindered the collection of trustworthy information in the national database of the SUS, further increasing the invisibility of legal abortion in Brazil.

O aborto permitido por lei no Brasil é um direito pouco garantido devido a múltiplas barreiras de acesso. A dificuldade em obter-se registros confiáveis e de fácil acesso, que subsidiem ações de monitoramento e avaliação pertinentes a essa temática, é outra questão preocupante relacionada à organização do sistema de saúde. Assim, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar os registros de atendimentos a mulheres que realizaram aborto legal no Município de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, no período de 2013 a 2018 e identificar sua prevalência no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares (SIH). Para isso, os prontuários dos casos de aborto previstos em lei, realizados nos quatro serviços de referência foram avaliados in loco. Os dados obtidos foram cruzados com o banco do SIH do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A razão de prevalência foi estimada por meio do modelo de regressão Poisson, com variância robusta. Foram identificados, nos prontuários, 236 casos de aborto legal, dos quais 95 (40,3%) estavam registrados no SIH. Os casos cujos prontuários tinham o CID O04 (aborto por razões médicas) identificado em seus registros internos tiveram uma prevalência de 3,02 (IC95%: 1,83-4,98) vezes de constarem no SIH do que aqueles que não identificaram. Foi observado que o número de registros de aborto legal no SIH diferia dependendo do hospital; no entanto, verificou-se que, independentemente do hospital, o fato do registro interno descrever o CID O04 aumenta a prevalência de registros no SIH. Conclui-se que a falta de padronização e o sub-registro dificultam a obtenção de informações fidedignas na base de dados nacionais do SUS, aumentando a invisibilidade do aborto legal.

El aborto está permitido por ley en Brasil, aunque es un derecho poco garantizado, debido a múltiples barreras de acceso. La dificultad de conseguir registros confiables y de fácil acceso, que apoyen acciones de supervisión y evaluación pertinentes para esta temática, es otra cuestión preocupante relacionada con la organización del sistema de salud. De este modo, el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los registros de atención a mujeres, que abortaron legalmente en el Municipio de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, durante el período de 2013 a 2018 e identificar su prevalencia en el Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias (SIH). Para tal fin, se evaluaron in loco los historiales de los casos de aborto previstos en ley, efectuados en cuatro servicios de referencia. Los datos obtenidos se cruzaron con el banco de datos del SIH del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS). La razón de prevalencia se estimó mediante el modelo de regresión Poisson con variancia robusta. Se identificaron en los registros médicos, 236 casos de aborto legal, de los cuales 95 (40,3%) estaban registrados en el SIH. Los casos cuyos historiales tenían el CIE O04 (aborto por razones médicas), identificado en sus registros internos, contaron con una prevalencia de 3,02 veces (IC95%: 1,83-4,98) respecto a constar en el SIH, en relación con aquellos que no se identificaron. Se observó que el número de registros de aborto legal en el SIH difería dependiendo del hospital; no obstante, se verificó que, independientemente del hospital, el hecho de que el registro interno describa el CIE O04 aumenta la prevalencia de registros en el SIH. Se concluye que la falta de estandarización y el subregistro dificultan la obtención de información fidedigna en la base de datos nacionales del SUS, aumentando la invisibilidad del aborto legal.

Survival and predictors of death in tuberculosis/HIV coinfection cases in Porto Alegre, Brazil: A historical cohort from 2009 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a curable disease, which remains the leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide, and it is the leading cause of death in people living with HIV. The purpose is to examine survival and predictors of death in Tuberculosis/HIV coinfection cases from 2009 to 2013. METHODS: We estimated the survival of 2,417 TB/HIV coinfection cases in Porto Alegre, from diagnosis up to 85 months of follow-up. We estimated hazard ratios and survival curves. RESULTS: The adjusted risk ratio (aRR) for death, by age, hospitalization, and Directly Observed Treatment was 4.58 for new cases (95% CI: 1.14-18.4), 4.51 for recurrence (95% CI: 1.11-18.4) and 4.53 for return after abandonment (95% CI: 1.12-18.4). The average survival time was 72.56 ± 1.57 months for those who underwent Directly Observed Treatment and 62.61 ± 0.77 for those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Case classification, age, and hospitalization are predictors of death. The occurrence of Directly Observed Treatment was a protective factor that increased the probability of survival. Policies aimed at reducing the mortality of patients with TB/HIV coinfection are needed.

[HIV/AIDS diagnosis in heterosexual men: still a surprise after more than 30 years of the epidemic]. / O diagnóstico do HIV/aids em homens heterossexuais: a surpresa permanece mesmo após mais de 30 anos de epidemia.

Men are the main group affected by HIV infection in Brazil, with an upward trend in the last 10 years. According to official data, heterosexual men represent 49% of cases, followed by homosexuals with 38% and bisexuals with 9.1%. Heterosexual men have been subsumed in the category "overall population" and have failed to receive specific attention in preventive policies or activities. The article proposes to analyze the circumstances and strategies by which heterosexual men learn of their HIV diagnosis. The study thus seeks to understand the paths and social actors involved in their HIV/AIDS diagnosis. The data are from a qualitative study interviewing 36 men living with HIV/AIDS that did not self-identify as homosexuals and/or bisexuals. The men were contacted in three specialized AIDS services in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The results indicate that men consider themselves immune to HIV, and that the diagnosis is an unexpected event. Women (affective-sexual partners and/or former partners) are fundamental components in the men's diagnosis, since they reveal the presence of HIV through either prenatal care or their own illness. An important share of these men discover that they are HIV-positive through some illness such as tuberculosis or after several visits to health services. Spontaneous search for HIV testing only occurs through situations and signs associated with possible infection. Heterosexual men have few opportunities for HIV diagnosis, and beyond gender issues, they are subject to programmatic vulnerability.

Os homens são o principal grupo afetado pela infecção do HIV no Brasil, com tendência de crescimento nos últimos dez anos. Nos dados oficiais, os homens heterossexuais representam 49% dos casos, os homossexuais 38% e os bissexuais 9,1%. Os homens heterossexuais ficaram subsumidos na categoria de "população geral", não recebendo destaque em políticas ou ações de prevenção. O presente artigo se propõe a analisar as circunstâncias e estratégias por meio das quais os homens heterossexuais descobrem o diagnóstico do HIV. Busca-se, assim, compreender os caminhos percorridos, bem como os atores sociais envolvidos no diagnóstico de HIV/aids. Os dados analisados resultam de uma pesquisa qualitativa na qual foram entrevistados 36 homens vivendo com HIV/aids que não se identificam como homossexuais e/ou bissexuais. Esses homens foram contatados em três serviços especializados em aids de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os resultados indicam que eles se consideram imunes ao HIV, sendo o diagnóstico um evento inesperado. As mulheres (parceiras afetivo-sexuais e/ou ex-parceiras) são peças fundamentais para o diagnóstico masculino, pois revelam, seja pelo pré-natal, seja pelo adoecimento, a presença do HIV. Uma parcela importante dos homens se descobre soropositivo por ocasião de alguma doença, como a tuberculose, ou após várias idas e vindas dos serviços de saúde. A busca pela testagem de forma espontânea só acontece mediante a identificação de situações e sinais associados a uma possível contaminação. Os homens heterossexuais possuem poucas oportunidades de diagnóstico do HIV e, para além do gênero, são sujeitos à vulnerabilidade programática.

Los hombres son el principal grupo afectado por la infección del VIH en Brasil, con una tendencia de crecimiento en los últimos 10 años. En los datos oficiales, los hombres heterosexuales representan un 49% de los casos, los homosexuales un 38% y los bisexuales un 9,1%. Los hombres heterosexuales quedaron encajados en la categoría de "población general", no siendo relevantes en políticas o acciones de prevención. Este artículo se propone analizar las circunstancias y estrategias a través de las cuales los hombres heterosexuales descubren el diagnóstico del VIH. Se busca, de esta forma, comprender los caminos recorridos, así como los actores sociales implicados en el diagnóstico del VIH/SIDA. Los datos analizados son resultado de una investigación cualitativa en la que se entrevistaron a 36 hombres, viviendo con VIH/SIDA, que no se identifican como homosexuales y/o bisexuales. Se contactó con estos hombres a través de tres servicios especializados en sida de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Los resultados indican que los hombres se consideran inmunes al VIH, siendo el diagnóstico un evento inesperado. Las mujeres (parejas afectivo-sexuales y/o ex-parejas) son piezas fundamentales para el diagnóstico masculino, puesto que revelan, sea a través del cuidado prenatal, sea a través de la enfermedad, la presencia del VIH. Una parte importante de los hombres se descubre seropositiva, debido a alguna enfermedad, como la tuberculosis, o tras varias idas y venidas a los servicios de salud. La búsqueda de un test espontáneo solamente se produce mediante la identificación de situaciones y señales asociadas a una posible infección. Los hombres heterosexuales poseen pocas oportunidades de diagnóstico del VIH y, más allá del género, están sujetos a vulnerabilidad programática.

Aids e prevenção do HIV entre adolescentes e jovens em seis municípios brasileiros / AIDS and HIV prevention among adolescents and young adults in six Brazilian municipalities

Resumo A ausência de um debate mais amplo sobre prevenção do HIV e o recrudescimento do conservadorismo, nos últimos anos, podem ter impactado nas concepções e nas práticas dos jovens em relação ao HIV/aids. Entrevistas semiestruturadas conduzidas com 194 jovens, de 16 a 24 anos, em quatro capitais e duas cidades do interior do Brasil, revelaram que, para eles, a aids é percebida como uma "doença que não tem cara", sendo impossível identificar quem tem HIV. As concepções sobre o HIV oscilam entre o medo e a percepção de que é tratável. O risco foi percebido como algo abstrato, que não é central nas preocupações cotidianas, cujo foco é evitar uma gravidez. O uso do preservativo é visto como uma estratégia temporária de prevenção, rapidamente substituído pela confiança na parceria sexual. As tecnologias de informação disponíveis parecem não ter sido capazes de fazer frente ao aumento do conservadorismo e à carência de políticas de prevenção do HIV entre os jovens. Essas políticas devem passar pela melhora na provisão de informações de qualidade, adaptadas aos interesses dos jovens, pela ampliação da oferta dos diferentes insumos de prevenção, e também devem trazer as IST e o HIV de volta para a arena de discussões.

Abstract The lack of a broader debate on HIV prevention and the resurgence of conservatism in recent years may have influenced the perceptions and practices of young people regarding HIV/AIDS. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 194 young individuals, aged 16 to 24, in four state capitals and two small municipalities in Brazil, revealed that they perceive AIDS as a "faceless disease," making it impossible to identify who has HIV. Conceptions about HIV oscillate between fear and the perception that it is treatable. The risk was perceived as abstract, something that is not central to daily concerns, with the primary focus being in preventing pregnancy. Condom use is seen as a temporary prevention strategy, quickly replaced by trust in the sexual partnership. Available information technology appears unable to address the rise in conservatism and the lack of HIV prevention policies among young people. These policies should improve the provision of quality information tailored to the interest of young people, expand the availability of various prevention resources, and bring STIs and HIV back into the discussion arena.

Body image (dis)satisfaction among low-income adult women.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A better understanding of the factors that affect self-perception of body characteristics may play an important role in weight control practices. The objective of this study was to analyze body weight perception and body image satisfaction in low-income adult women in Southern Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey study in a cohort of women recruited from areas of social vulnerability in the city of Porto Alegre, RS. A random sample (n = 218) of women was interviewed, and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, body image perception using the Stunkard Scale, body weight estimation, weight concern and duplicate anthropometric measurements were obtained. RESULTS: The average age of the low-income women was 56.3 ± 9.5 years. The prevalences of overweight and obese individuals were 34.1% and 52.5%, respectively. Among all women, 83.0% were dissatisfied with their body image, and 68.9% of the women estimated their body weight correctly. In addition to BMI (body mass index), the proportions of women with a higher income (p = 0.05), smoking history (p < 0.01) and history of hypertension (p = 0.04) were significantly different between groups according to body image satisfaction. Multivariate analyses using Poisson regression showed that black/mixed race, higher income, and underweight and obese women were more likely to be dissatisfied with their body image. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of women know their body weight and have body image dissatisfaction. Skin color, higher income and BMI were significantly associated with dissatisfaction. In addition, these women consider the "healthiest" body image to be thinner than the "ideal" body image, and the "ideal" image is one of normal weight and not too thin.

Avaliação do processo de aprendizagem no ambiente virtual do Programa Saúde com Agente / Evaluation of the learning process in the virtual environment of the Health Program with Agent / Evaluación del proceso de aprendizaje en el entorno virtual del Programa Salud con Agente

RESUMO: O estudo aqui apresentado teve por objetivo avaliar a percepção da qualidade do processo de aprendizagem no ambiente virtual dos estudantes do Programa Saúde com Agente. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal, realizado em 2022, com 9.145 estudantes dos cursos de Técnico em Agente Comunitário de Saúde e Técnico em Vigilância em Saúde com Ênfase no Combate às Endemias. Informações sobre a qualidade do processo de aprendizagem foram obtidas por meio do questionário Constructivist On-Line Learning Environment Survey, que consiste em 24 questões agrupadas em seis dimensões: relevância, reflexão crítica, interação, apoio dos tutores, apoio dos colegas e compreensão. Avaliaram-se o perfil sociodemográfico dos participantes e as principais formas de acesso ao curso e acompanhamento. Realizou-se análise descritiva; para análise de associação, utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher. A maioria dos participantes é do sexo feminino, faixa etária de 40 a 49 anos, da região Nordeste; realiza as atividades em casa e usa o celular/smartphone. Ao se considerarem as seis dimensões avaliadas, relevância, interação e apoio dos colegas obtiveram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os estudantes dos cursos de Técnico em Agente Comunitário de Saúde e Técnico em Vigilância em Saúde com Ênfase no Combate às Endemias.

ABSTRACT: The study presented here aimed to evaluate the perception of the quality of the learning process in the virtual environment of the students of the Health Program with Agent. It was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2022 with 9,145 students from the Community Health Agent Technician and Health Surveillance Technician courses with an Emphasis on Combating Endemic Diseases. Information on the quality of the learning process was obtained through the Constructivist On-Line Learning Environment Survey, which consists of 24 questions grouped into six dimensions: relevance, critical reflection, interaction, tutor support, peer support, and understanding. The sociodemographic profile of the participants and the primary forms of access to the course and monitoring were evaluated. Descriptive analysis was performed; for association analysis, the chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used. Most participants are females aged 40 to 49 from the Northeast region; they perform activities at home and use their cell phones/smartphones. When considering the six dimensions evaluated, relevance, interaction, and support of colleagues obtained statistically significant differences between the students of the courses of Community Health Agent Technician and Health Surveillance Technician with Emphasis on Combating Endemic Diseases.

RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio presentado fue evaluar la percepción de la calidad del proceso de aprendizaje en el entorno virtual de los alumnos del Programa Salud con Agentes. Se trató de un estudio transversal realizado en 2022 con 9.145 alumnos de los cursos de Técnico en Agente Comunitario de Salud y Técnico en Vigilancia Sanitaria con énfasis en la lucha contra las enfermedades endémicas. La información sobre la calidad del proceso de aprendizaje se obtuvo a través de la Encuesta Constructivist On-Line Learning Environment Survey, que consta de 24 preguntas agrupadas en seis dimensiones: relevancia, reflexión crítica, interacción, apoyo de los tutores, apoyo de los alumnos y comprensión. Se evaluó el perfil sociodemográfico de los participantes y las principales vías de acceso al curso y seguimiento. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado o la prueba exacta de Fisher para analizar las asociaciones. Los participantes eran en su mayoría mujeres, en la franja de edad 40 a 49 años, de la región Nordeste; realizaban las actividades en casa y utilizaban teléfonos móviles/smartphones. Al considerar las seis dimensiones evaluadas, la relevancia, la interacción y el apoyo de los compañeros mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los alumnos de los cursos de Técnico en Agente Comunitario de Salud y Técnico en Vigilancia Sanitaria con Énfasis en la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Endémicas.

HIV/AIDS knowledge among MSM in Brazil: a challenge for public policies.

INTRODUCTION: High level of HIV/AIDS knowledge is required for an effective adoption of preventive strategies. OBJECTIVE: To assess HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 12 Brazilian cities. METHODS: Respondent-Driven Sampling method was used for recruitment. HIV/AIDS knowledge was assessed by Item Response Theory. Difficulty and discrimination parameters were estimated, and the knowledge score was categorized in three levels: high, medium, and low. Logistic regression was used for analysis. RESULTS: Among 4,176 MSM, the proportion of high level of knowledge was 23.7%. The following variables were positively associated with high knowledge (p < 0.05): age 25+ years old, 12+ years of schooling, white skin color, having health insurance, having suffered discrimination due to sexual orientation, having had a syphilis test, and having received educational material in the previous 12 months. Exchanging sex for money was negatively associated. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of only 23.7% of high HIV/AIDS knowledge was low. We should note that the only potential source of knowledge acquisition associated with high level of knowledge was receiving educational materials. Our study indicates the need for expansion of public prevention policies focused on MSM and with more effective communication strategies, including the development of knowledge that involves motivation and abilities for a safer behavior.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation against MSM in Brazil: a latent class analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Discrimination based on sexual orientation can influence vulnerability to HIV, increasing exposure to risky sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM). OBJECTIVES: To analyze data using latent class analysis (LCA) to identify groups of individuals with specific patterns of discrimination based on sexual orientation (DSO). METHODS: Cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling in 12 Brazilian cities in 2016. LCA was used to characterize discrimination among MSM based on 13 variables in the survey questionnaire. The proportions of men reporting DSO and other variables of interest were estimated using Gile's Successive Sampling estimator. RESULTS: Most MSM were young, single, had a religion, had a high school or college degree, black or brown skin color, and socioeconomic status classified as average. More than half of the participants reported that they had been discriminated against during the last 12 months due to their sexual orientation (65%), more than a third said they had felt afraid of walking in public places during the past 12 months, and about one-fifth of participants reported having been victims of physical or sexual assault due to DSO. DSO was classified into four latent classes: "very high", "high", "moderate" and "low", with estimates of 2.2%, 16.4%, 35.1%, and 46.19%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We observed a high proportion of discrimination against MSM in this study. The use of LCA differentiated parsimoniously classes of discrimination.