Perceived quality of life and associated factors in long COVID syndrome among older Brazilians: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to: (a) determine the personal, sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural, and social characteristics of older Brazilians with clinical evidence of long COVID; (b) evaluate perceived quality of life and determine its association with personal, sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical and social variables; and (c) assess significant predictors of high perceived QoL. BACKGROUND: Given the inherent vulnerabilities of the ageing process, the older people are an at-risk group for both contagion of SARS-CoV-2 and the perpetuation of residual symptoms after infection, the so-called long COVID or post-COVID syndrome. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design using the STROBE checklist. METHODS: Brazilian older people with long COVID syndrome (n = 403) completed a phone survey measuring personal, sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical, and social characteristics, and perceived Quality of Life (QoL). Data were collected from June 2021-March 2022. A multiple linear regression model was performed to identify salient variables associated with high perceived QoL. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 67.7 ± 6.6 years old. The results of the multivariate regression model showed that race, home ownership, daily screen time, musculoskeletal and anxiety symptoms, and work situation were the significant predictors of QoL among COVID-19 survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about the persistence of physical, emotional, and social symptoms of COVID-19 can help nurses and other healthcare providers to improve the management of survivors, bringing benefits to the whole society. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Given the novelty of long-COVID and its heterogeneous trajectory, interventions focusing on the repercussions and requirements unique to more vulnerable older persons should be developed and these aspects should be included in public health recommendations and policymakers' concerns. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution was required to design, to outcome measures or undertake this research. Patients/members of the public contributed only to the data collection.

Impact of socioeconomic factors and health determinants on preterm birth in Brazil: a register-based study.

BACKGROUND: More than 15 million children are born preterm annually. While preterm survival rates have increased in high-income countries. Low- and middle-income countries, like Brazil, continue to battle high neonatal mortality rates due to a lack of adequate postnatal care. Globally, neonatal mortality is higher for preterm infants compared to those born at term. Our study aims to map and analyze the spatial, socioeconomic, and health coverage determinants related to preterm birth in Brazil in order to understand how spatial variations in demographics and access to primary care may affect preterm birth occurrences.  METHODS: Using publicly available national-level data from the Brazilian health system for 2008-2017, we conducted an ecological study to visualize the spatial distributions of preterm birth along with socioeconomic status, the structure of health services, and primary care work process, each consisting of multiple variables reduced via principal component analysis. Regression models were created to determine predictive effects of numeric and spatial variation of these scores on preterm birth rates. RESULTS: In Brazil, preterm birth rates increased from 2008-2017, with small and rural municipalities frequently exhibiting higher rates than urban areas. Scores in socioeconomic status and work process were significant predictors of preterm birth rates, without taking into account spatial adjustment, with more positive scores in socioeconomic status predicting higher preterm birth rates (coefficient 0.001145) and higher scores in work process predicting lower preterm birth rates (coefficient -0.002416). Geographically weighted regression showed socioeconomic status to be a more significant predictor in the North, with the work process indicators being most significant in the Northeast. CONCLUSIONS: Results support that primary care work process indicators are more significant in estimating preterm birth rates than physical structures available for care. These results emphasize the importance of ensuring the presence of the minimum human resources needed, especially in the most deprived areas of Brazil. The association between social determinants of health and preterm birth rates raises questions regarding the importance of policies dedicated to foster equity in the accessibility of healthcare services, and improve income as protective proxies for preterm birth.

Are Primary Health Care Features Associated with Reduced Late Neonatal Mortality in Brazil? An Ecological Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect and efficiency of the characteristics of PHC facilities' structures and the work process of PHC teams on late neonatal mortality (LNM). METHODS: This ecological time-series study adopted 3.764 Brazilian municipalities as analysis units. The independent variables were sorted into three hierarchical levels and four blocks. The distal level consisted of economic and demographic variables; the intermediate level comprised health coverage and demand for services; and the proximal level included structure and work process. The dependent variable was LNM. A linear mixed-effects regression analysis with a hierarchical approach was performed, estimating the crude (ß) and adjusted (alpha = 5%) regression coefficients. Data involution analysis and municipalities were the decision-making unit according to their strata. RESULTS: LNM was directly associated with the number of live births and unemployment rate. LNM was inversely associated with the year, per capita income, the community health worker's strategy coverage, vaginal delivery, household visits, and available vaccines. In the 2002-2014 period, the number of municipalities efficient in reducing LNM dropped from 38 to 27. In 2014, a more significant investment occurred in the number of vaginal deliveries in almost all strata to make inefficient municipalities efficient. CONCLUSION FOR PRACTICE: The deaths of children aged 7-28 days are affected by the characteristics of the PHC structure and work process.

Family Health Strategy, Primary Health Care, and Social Inequalities in Mortality Among Older Adults in Bagé, Southern Brazil.

Objectives. To investigate the role of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in reducing social inequalities in mortality over a 9-year follow-up period.Methods. We carried out a population-based cohort study of individuals aged 60 years and older from the city of Bagé, Brazil. Of 1593 participants at baseline (2008), 1314 (82.5%) were included in this 9-year follow-up (2017). We assessed type of primary health care (PHC) coverage and other variables at baseline. In 2017, we ascertained 579 deaths through mortality registers. Hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals modeled time to death estimated by Cox regression. We also tested the effect modification between PHC and wealth.Results. The FHS had a protective effect on mortality among individuals aged 60 to 64 years, a result not found among those not covered by the FHS. Interaction analysis showed that the FHS modified the effect of wealth on mortality. The FHS protected the poorest from all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.36, 0.96) and avoidable mortality (HR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.85).Conclusions. FHS coverage reduced social inequalities in mortality among older adults. Our findings highlight the need to guarantee universal health coverage in Brazil by expanding and strengthening the FHS to promote health equity.

Is there a fair distribution of the structure of dental services in the capitals of the Brazilian Federative Units?

BACKGROUND: Brazilian Primary Care Facilities (PCF) provide primary care and must offer dental services for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. According to a logic of promoting equity, PCF should be better structured in less developed places and with higher need for oral health services. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the structure of dental caries services in the capitals of the Brazilian Federative Units and identify whether socioeconomic factors and caries (need) are predictors of the oral health services structure. METHODS: This is an ecological study with variables retrieved from different secondary databases, clustered for the level of the federative capitals. Descriptive thematic maps were prepared, and structural equations were analyzed to identify oral health service structure's predictors (Alpha = 5%). Four models with different outcomes related to dental caries treatment were tested: 1) % of PCF with a fully equipped office; 2) % of PCF with sufficient instruments, and 3) % of PCF with sufficient supplies; 4) % of PCF with total structure. RESULTS: 21.6% of the PCF of the Brazilian capitals had a fully equipped office; 46.9% had sufficient instruments, and 30.0% had sufficient supplies for caries prevention and treatment. The four models evidenced proper fit indexes. A correlation between socioeconomic factors and the structure of oral health services was only noted in model 3. The worse the socioeconomic conditions, the lower the availability of dental supplies (standard factor loading: 0.92, P = 0.012). Estimates of total, direct and indirect effects showed that dental caries experience observed in the Brazilian population by SB-Brasil in 2010 did not affect the outcomes investigated. CONCLUSION: Material resources are not equitably distributed according to the socioeconomic conditions and oral health needs of the population of the Brazilian capitals, thus contributing to persistent oral health inequities in the country.

Assessment of a Brazilian public policy intervention to address schistosomiasis in Pernambuco state: the SANAR program, 2011-2014.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is an endemic country for schistosomiasis in the Latin American and Caribbean countries. Pernambuco is a higher-endemic Brazilian state among the 19 states reporting the disease in the country; schistosomiasis affects 102 (55%) of its 185 municipalities. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment cycles of the SANAR Program (Plan to Reduce and Eliminate Neglected Diseases) in Pernambuco State in Northeast Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2014 via a household survey in 117 hyperendemic locations in the state of Pernambuco. We compared the schistosomiasis prevalence rates in hyperendemic locations, aggregated by geographical region, before and after the intervention. The dependent variable was a positive stool test result by the Kato-Katz method, and the main exposure variable was the number of treatment cycles (one/two). The covariables were the regions of the state and socioenvironmental, socioeconomic, demographic and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS: In all, 12,969 individuals were interviewed, 8932 of whom had stool tests. Of these, 4969 (55.6%) underwent two cycles of collective treatment. Changes in the environmental conditions since 2011 were minimal. Comparison before (2011) and after (2014) treatment showed an average schistosomiasis prevalence of 18.6%, decreasing to 4.1% and 2.0% in locations with one and two treatment cycles, respectively. In 2014, the highest schistosomiasis prevalence was found in the forest area (2.8%), while the lowest was found in the northern region (1.2%) of the state. The adjusted analysis showed a lower occurrence of schistosomiasis in individuals living in areas with two treatment cycles than in individuals from areas with just one cycle (PR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The political decision made in Pernambuco to implement the SANAR Program in 2011 greatly impacted the burden of schistosomiasis. This program was effective in reducing the occurrence of schistosomiasis in hyperendemic areas in Pernambuco, with a stronger response in areas with two cycles of collective treatment.

Oral primary care: an analysis of its impact on the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer is a potentially fatal disease, especially when diagnosed in advanced stages. In Brazil, the primary health care (PHC) system is responsible for promoting oral health in order to prevent oral diseases. However, there is insufficient evidence to assess whether actions of the PHC system have some effect on the morbidity and mortality from oral cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of PHC structure and work processes on the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer after adjusting for contextual variables. METHODS: An ecological, longitudinal and analytical study was carried out. Data were obtained from different secondary data sources, including three surveys that were nationally representative of Brazilian PHC and carried out over the course of 10 years (2002-2012). Data were aggregated at the state level at different times. Oral cancer incidence and mortality rates, standardized by age and gender, served as the dependent variables. Covariables (sociodemographic, structure of basic health units, and work process in oral health) were entered in the regression models using a hierarchical approach based on a theoretical model. Analysis of mixed effects with random intercept model was also conducted (alpha = 5%). RESULTS: The oral cancer incidence rate was positively association with the proportion of of adults over 60 years (ß = 0.59; p = 0.010) and adult smokers (ß = 0.29; p = 0.010). The oral cancer related mortality rate was positively associated with the proportion of of adults over 60 years (ß = 0.24; p < 0.001) and the performance of preventative and diagnostic actions for oral cancer (ß = 0.02; p = 0.002). Mortality was inversely associated with the coverage of primary care teams (ß = -0.01; p < 0.006) and PHC financing (ß = -0.52-9; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, the PHC structure and work processes have been shown to help reduce the mortality rate of oral cancer, but not the incidence rate of the disease. We recommend expanding investments in PHC in order to prevent oral cancer related deaths.

Addressing geographic access barriers to emergency care services: a national ecologic study of hospitals in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Unequal distribution of emergency care services is a critical barrier to be overcome to assure access to emergency and surgical care. Considering this context it was objective of the present work analyze geographic access barriers to emergency care services in Brazil. A secondary aim of the study is to define possible roles to be assumed by small hospitals in the Brazilian healthcare network to overcome geographic access challenges. METHODS: The present work can be classified as a cross-sectional ecological study. To carry out the present study, data of all 5843 Brazilian hospitals were categorized among high complexity centers and small hospitals. The geographical access barriers were identified through the use of two-step floating catchment area method. Once concluded the previous step an evaluation using the Getis-Ord-Gi method was performed to identify spatial clusters of municipalities with limited access to high complexity centers but well covered by well-equipped small hospitals. RESULTS: The analysis of accessibility index of high complexity centers highlighted large portions of the country with nearly zero hospital beds by inhabitant. In contrast, it was possible observe a group of 1595 municipalities with high accessibility to small hospitals, simultaneously with a low coverage of high complexity centers. Among the 1595 municipalities with good accessibility to small hospitals, 74% (1183) were covered by small hospitals with at least 60% of minimum emergency service requirements. The spatial clusters analysis aggregated 589 municipalities with high values related to minimum emergency service requirements. Small hospitals in these 589 cities could promote the equity in access to emergency services benefiting more than eight million people. CONCLUSIONS: There is a spatial disequilibrium within the country with prominent gaps in the health care network for emergency services. Taking this challenge into consideration, small hospitals could be a possible solution and foster equity in access to emergency and surgical care. However more investments in are necessary to improve small hospitals capabilities to fill this gap.

Multimorbidity in older adults: magnitude and challenges for the Brazilian health system.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is a public health problem with high prevalence and important consequences. The aim of this paper was to verify the prevalence and distribution of multimorbidity in Brazilian older adults. METHODS: A population-based survey was carried out in 2008 through face-to-face interviews with 1593 older adults (aged 60 or over) living in Bagé, a medium-sized city in Southern Brazil. Multimorbidity was evaluated by 17 morbidities and operationalized according to two cutoff points: 2 or more and 3 or more morbidities. Descriptive analysis examined the occurrence of multimorbidity by demographic, socioeconomic and health services variables. Observed and expected dyads and triads of diseases were calculated. RESULTS: From total sample, 6 % did not have morbidities. Mean morbidity was 3.6. Morbidities showing higher prevalence were high blood pressure - HBP - (55.3 %) and spinal column disease (37.4 %). The percent of participants with multimorbidity was 81.3 % (95 % CI: 79.3; 83.3) for 2 or more morbidities and 64.0 % (95 % CI: 61.5; 66.4) for 3 or more morbidities. In both measures occurrence was higher among women, the more elderly, less socioeconomic status, the bedridden, those who did not have a health private plan, those who used health services and those living in Family Health Strategy catchment areas. We found 22 dyads of morbidities with prevalence 10 % or more and 35 triads with prevalence 5 % or more. The most prevalent observed pair and triplet of morbidities were HBP and spinal column disease (23.6 %) and HBP, rheumatism/arthritis/arthrosis and spinal column disease (10.6 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity frequency was high in the sample studied, in keeping with percentage found in other countries. The social inequities identified increase the health system challenges for the management of multimorbidity, requiring a comprehensive and multidimensional care. The combinations of diseases can provide initial input to include multimorbidity in Brazilian clinical protocols.

Green tobacco sickness among tobacco farmers in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Despite being the second largest tobacco producer in the world, Brazil does not have prevalence studies about green tobacco sickness (GTS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of Brazilian tobacco workers. The sample was described according to socio-demographic, behavioral, and occupational variables. Gender-stratified multivariate analyses examined variables associated with GTS. RESULTS: GTS prevalence among men in the previous month was 6.6%, while among women it was 11.9%. Among men, age, being a non-smoker, hanging tobacco sticks in the barn, harvesting wet leaves, and exposure to physical exertion were risk factors for GTS. Among women, tying hands of tobacco, transporting bales, harvesting wet leaves, having had contact with pesticides, and exposure to physical exertion were positively associated with GTS. CONCLUSION: Research is required to improve methods for GTS screening, as well as the ability to distinguish GTS from pesticide poisoning. Health professionals should be trained to diagnose and treat GTS.

Structure and process in primary health care for children and spatial distribution of infant mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the spatial patterns of the quality of the structure of primary health care services and the teams' work process and their effects on infant mortality in Brazil. METHODS: An ecological study of spatial aggregates, using the 5,570 municipalities in Brazil as the unit of analysis. Secondary databases from the Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB - National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care), the Mortality Information System (SIM), and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) were used. In 2018, the infant mortality rate was the outcome of the study, and the exposure variables were the proportion of basic health units (BHU) with adequate structure and work processes. Global and local Moran's indices were used to evaluate the degree of dependence and spatial autocorrelation. Spatial linear regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: In 2018, in Brazil, the infant mortality rate was 12.4/1,000 live births, ranging from 10.6/1,000 and 11.2/1,000 in the South and Southeast, respectively, to 14.1/1,000 and 14.5/1,000 in the Northeast and North regions, respectively. The proportion of teams with an adequate work process (ß = -3.13) and the proportion of basic health units with an adequate structure (ß = -0.34) were associated with a reduction in the infant mortality rate. Spatial autocorrelation was observed between smoothed mean infant mortality rates and indicators of the structure of primary health care services and the team's work process, with higher values in the North and Northeast of Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the structure of primary health care services and the teams' work process with the infant mortality rate. In this sense, investment in the qualification of health care within the scope of primary health care can have an impact on reducing the infant mortality rate and improving child health care.

Evolution of the availability of Information and Communication Technologies in primary health care in Brazil, 2012 to 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the evolution of the availability of information and communication technology equipment and inputs in primary health care services that participated in the external evaluation of the Access and Quality Improvement Program in Primary Care and its distribution according to context characteristics social and geographic. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, analyzed the distribution of information and communication technology equipment in basic health units in Brazil, during the three cycles (2012 to 2018) of the Program for Improving Access and Quality in Primary Care. The variables were examined at the municipal level and stratified by geopolitical region. Univariate analysis was performed, using the chi-square test and testing the distributions of exposures among themselves and between the outcome and exposures. RESULTS: The availability of information and communication technology equipment increased from 9.4% (2012) to 17.5% (2018), with emphasis on the Southeast and South regions, in municipalities with a population size of up to 10,000 inhabitants², with greater family health coverage and high/very high HDI-M. Over the period from 2012 to 2018, basic units joined the program and increased availability of information and communication technologies, such as Internet access, which ranged from 45.2% (n=6,249) to 74.0% (n=21,423), with emphasis on the Northeast region, which increased from 19.1% (n=970) to 58.8% (n=7,087). CONCLUSION: Investment in technologies and constant evaluation of primary care in the country is necessary, contributing to its strengthening.

The use of Information and Communication Technologies in Primary Health Care in Brazil - the period of 2014 to 2018. / O uso de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação em Saúde na Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil, de 2014 a 2018.

Information and Communication Technologies in Health allow the storage and processing of digital data, access to information and remote communications. The objective of this article was to describe the use of these Technologies to support clinical practice and continuing education by primary health care teams in Brazil the period of 2014 to 2018, within the scope of the Access and Quality Improvement Program Basic, according to characteristics of the geopolitical context. It's a cross-sectional study that analyzed the data collected from the teams of the Basic Health Units. A growing use by the teams of Telehealth resources, the Telemedicine University Network and the Open University of the Unified Health System was observed to aid clinical practice and permanent health education. In the North and Northeast regions, the use of these Technologies doubled, from cycle II to cycle III. The need for investments in infrastructure, human resources in Primary Health Care, qualification and professional training is a way to strengthen the Unified Health System and its Health Care Network, contributing to a continuous flow of care, with quality and access universal.

As Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação em Saúde permitem o armazenamento e processamento de dados digitais, acesso a informações e comunicações à distância. O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever a utilização destas tecnologias para o apoio à prática clínica e educação permanente pelas equipes de saúde da atenção primária à saúde do Brasil no período de 2014 a 2018, no âmbito do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade na Atenção Básica, segundo características do contexto geopolítico. É um estudo transversal que analisou os dados coletados junto às equipes das Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Foi observada uma crescente utilização pelas equipes dos recursos da Telessaúde, Rede Universitária de Telemedicina e Universidade Aberta do Sistema Único de Saúde para auxílio à prática clínica e educação permanente em saúde. Nas regiões Norte e Nordeste o uso destas tecnologias dobrou, do ciclo II ao ciclo III. A necessidade de investimentos em infraestrutura, recursos humanos na Atenção Primária à Saúde, qualificação e formação profissional é um caminho para o fortalecimento do Sistema Único de Saúde e sua Rede de Atenção em Saúde, contribuindo para um fluxo de atendimento contínuo, com qualidade e acesso universal.

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.

Prevalence and factors associated with the death of older people hospitalized due to Covid-19 in the state of Paraná.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and to analyze the factors associated with the death of older people hospitalized due to Covid-19 in the state of Paraná. METHOD: Cross-sectional study conducted with secondary data from older people with a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 living in the State of Paraná, collected from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. Prevalence ratios were obtained by adjusting the regression model. RESULTS: A total of 16,153 deaths of older people hospitalized in the State of Paraná were analyzed. The adjusted model revealed an association between death and some factors such as: belonging to the age group of 75 to 84 years (PR = 1.28; CI95% = 1.24-1.32) and 85 years or over (PR = 1.52; CI95% = 1.45-1.59); male (PR = 1.17; CI95% = 1.13-1.21); obesity (PR = 1.23; CI95% = 1.16-1.29); other morbidities (PR = 1.25; CI95% = 1.20-1.30); and having used ventilatory support (PR = 2.60; CI95% = 2.33-2.86). Older people vaccinated against influenza had a probability of death reduced by 11% (PR = 0.89; CI95% = 0.86-0.93). CONCLUSION: The association of age, sex, and diagnosis of previous comorbidities with unfavorable outcomes from Covid-19 was identified. Having received the flu vaccine provided protection to elderly people who contracted SARS-CoV-2.

Factors associated with hospitalizations and deaths of pregnant women from Paraná due to COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with hospitalization in the ward and intensive care unit (ICU), and with death from COVID-19 in pregnant women with confirmed cases. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study, carried out with data from pregnant women with a confirmed case of COVID-19 from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System and the Paraná's state COVID-19 notification system. The association between the independent and dependent variables (hospitalization in the ward and ICU, and death) was investigated using the Poisson regression model with robust variance. RESULTS: 4,719 pregnant women comprised the study population. 9.6 and 5.1% were hospitalized in wards and ICU, respectively. 1.9% died. There was an association between advanced maternal age and hospitalization in wards (PR=1.36; 95%CI 1.10-1.62) and ICU (PR=2.25; 95%CI 1.78-2.71), and death (PR=3.22; 95%CI 2.30-4.15). An association was found between the third trimester and hospitalization in wards (PR=5.06; 95%CI 2.82-7.30) and ICU (PR=6.03; 95%CI 3.67-8.39) and death (PR=13.56; 95%CI 2.90-24.23). The second trimester was associated with ICU admission (PR=2.67; 95%CI 1.36-3.99). Pregnant women with cardiovascular disease had a higher frequency of hospitalization in wards (PR=2.24; 95%CI 1.43-3.05) and ICU (PR=2.66; 95%CI 1.46-3.87). Obesity was associated with ICU admission (PR=3.79; 95%CI 2.71-4.86) and death (PR=5.62; 95%CI 2.41-8.83). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced maternal age, the end of the gestational period and comorbidities were associated with severe COVID-19.

Long COVID among Brazilian Adults and Elders 12 Months after Hospital Discharge: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

The persistence of symptoms for more than three months following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is referred to as "Long COVID". To gain a deeper understanding of the etiology and long-term progression of symptoms, this study aims to analyze the prevalence of Long COVID and its associated factors in a cohort of Brazilian adults and elders, twelve months after hospital discharge. An observational, prospective, and follow-up study was performed with a cohort of adults and older adults diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020 in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Twelve months after hospital discharge, patients answered a phone questionnaire about the persistence of symptoms after three levels of exposure to COVID-19's acute phase (ambulatory, medical ward, and intensive care unit). According to the characteristics of participants, the prevalence of Long COVID-19 was calculated, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. We analyzed data from 1822 participants (980 adults [≥18-<60 years] and 842 older people [≥60 years]) across three exposure levels. The overall Long COVID prevalence was 64.2%. Long COVID was observed in 646 adults (55%; of which 326 were women) and 523 older people (45%; of which 284 were women). Females had a higher prevalence of long-term symptoms (52%) compared with men. The most common post-COVID-19 conditions in the 12-month follow-up were neurological (49.8%), followed by musculoskeletal (35.1%) and persistent respiratory symptoms (26.5%). Male individuals were less likely to develop Long COVID (aOR = 0.50). Other determinants were also considered risky, such as the presence of comorbidities (aOR = 1.41). Being an adult and having been hospitalized was associated with the development of Long COVID. The risk of developing Long COVID was twice as high for ward patients (aOR = 2.53) and three times as high for ICU patients (aOR = 3.56) when compared to non-hospitalized patients. Presenting clinical manifestations of digestive (aOR = 1.56), endocrine (aOR = 2.14), cutaneous (aOR = 2.51), musculoskeletal (aOR = 2.76) and psychological systems (aOR = 1.66) made adults more likely to develop Long COVID. Long COVID was present in a large proportion of people affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Presence of Long COVID symptoms displayed a dose-response relationship with the level of disease exposure, with a greater prevalence of symptoms associated with the severe form in the acute period.

Performance patterns of primary health care in the face of COVID-19 in Brazil: characteristics and contrasts. / Padrões de desempenho da atenção primária à saúde diante da COVID-19 no Brasil: características e contrastes.

The adequate fight against pandemics requires effective coordination between primary health care (PHC) and health surveillance, guaranteed attention to acute and chronic demands, and a bond with the community dimension in the scope of basic health units (UBS, acronym in Portuguese). This study aims to contrast two extreme standards of PHC performance in the fight against COVID-19 in Brazil, comparing them with the profiles of the corresponding municipalities and characteristics of the organization of services. Based on the results of a cross-sectional national survey with a representative sample of UBSs, we created a synthetic index to evaluate how PHC performs against COVID-19 called CPI, composed of axes of health surveillance and social support (collective dimension) and of COVID-19 care and continuity of care (individual dimension). Of the 907 surveyed UBSs, 120 were selected, half of which had the highest indexes (complete standard) and the other half, the lowest ones (restricted standard). The municipalities of the UBSs with a complete standard are predominantly rural, have low Municipal Health Development Index (MHDI), high Family Health Strategy (FHS) coverage, and stand out in the collective dimension, whereas the UBSs in urban municipalities with this same standard have high MHDI, low FHS coverage, and an emphasis on the individual dimension. In the restricted standard, we highlight community health workers' reduced work in the territory. In the Brazilian Northeast, UBSs with complete standard predominate, whereas, in its Southeast, UBSs with restricted standard predominate. The study poses questions that refer to the role and organization of PHC in the health care network under situations that require prompt response to health issues and indicates the greater potential capacity of the FHS program in such situations.

O enfrentamento adequado de pandemias requer forte articulação entre atenção primária à saúde (APS) e vigilância em saúde, atenção garantida às demandas agudas e crônicas e vinculação com a dimensão comunitária no âmbito das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS). O objetivo deste artigo é contrastar dois padrões extremos de desempenho da APS no enfrentamento da COVID-19 no Brasil, cotejando-os com os perfis dos respectivos municípios e características da organização dos serviços. A partir dos resultados de inquérito nacional transversal com amostra representativa das UBS, foi criado um índice sintético de desempenho da APS em relação à COVID-19, denominado CPI, composto pelos eixos de vigilância e apoio social (dimensão coletiva) e de atendimento ao paciente com COVID-19 e continuidade do cuidado (dimensão individual). Das 907 UBS pesquisadas, foram selecionadas 120, sendo a metade com os maiores índices encontrados (padrão completo) e a outra com os menores (padrão restrito). Os municípios das UBS com padrão completo são preponderantemente rurais, com baixo Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDHM), alta cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) e destacam-se na dimensão coletiva, enquanto as UBS nesse mesmo padrão situadas em municípios urbanos apresentam alto IDHM, baixa cobertura de ESF, com ênfase na dimensão individual. No padrão restrito, destaca-se a reduzida atuação de agentes comunitários de saúde no território. Na Região Nordeste, predominam UBS com padrão completo, enquanto na Sudeste preponderam UBS com padrão restrito. O estudo apresenta questões que remetem ao papel e à organização da APS na rede de cuidados em situações que requerem pronta resposta aos agravos de saúde e indica maior capacidade potencial da ESF em tais situações.

El enfrentamiento adecuado de las pandemias requiere una fuerte articulación entre atención primaria de salud (APS) y la vigilancia en salud, una atención garantizada a las demandas agudas y crónicas y la vinculación con la dimensión comunitaria en el ámbito de las unidades básicas de salud (UBS). El objetivo de este artículo es contrastar dos patrones extremos de desempeño de la APS en el enfrentamiento del COVID-19 en Brasil, comparándolos con los perfiles de los respectivos municipios y características de la organización de los servicios. A partir de los resultados de una encuesta nacional transversal con una muestra representativa de las UBS fue creado un índice sintético de desempeño de la APS frente al COVID-19, denominado CPI, compuesto por los ejes de vigilancia y apoyo social (dimensión colectiva) y de atención al COVID-19 y continuidad de la atención (dimensión individual). De las 907 UBS investigadas, se seleccionaron 120, siendo la mitad con los índices más grandes encontrados (estándar completo) y la otra con los más bajos (estándar estricto). Los municipios de las UBS con estándar completo son preponderantemente rurales, con bajo índice de desarrollo humano municipal (IDHM), alta cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF) y se destacan en la dimensión colectiva, mientras que las UBS en este mismo estándar situadas en municipios urbanos presentan alto IDHM, baja cobertura de ESF, con énfasis en la dimensión individual. En el estándar estricto, se destaca la reducida actuación de los agentes comunitarios de salud en el territorio. En la región Nordeste predominan las UBS con estándar completo, mientras que en el Sureste predominan las UBS con un estándar estricto. El estudio aporta cuestiones que remiten al papel y organización de la APS en la red de atención en situaciones que requieren respuesta rápida a los problemas de salud e indica una mayor capacidad potencial de la ESF en tales situaciones.

[Contextual characteristics and demand for health services among Brazilian adolescents: Brazilian National Health Survey, 2019]. / Características contextuais e procura por serviços de saúde entre adolescentes brasileiros: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2019.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of demand for health services among Brazilian adolescents and to investigate its association with contextual characteristics of the territory. Study with data from the Brazilian National Health Survey, conducted in 2019, including 43,774 individuals aged from 10 to 19 years. Adolescent's information was obtained through a proxy resident of 18 years or more who answered for all the residents of the household. Poisson regression was used to assess the demand for health services according to geopolitical region, economic status, and type of municipality. The interaction of the health insurance was also evaluated in these associations. Of the total, 11.7% (95%CI: 11.1; 12.3) of the adolescents sought health services in the two weeks prior to the survey. Greater figures of demand were observed in the Southeast (PR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.15; 1.52) and South regions (PR = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.13; 1.52) compared to the Northern Region of Brazil. Having a health insurance increased the demand for services by adolescents living in rural areas and in capitals and the municipalities of the Metropolitan Areas and/or Integrated Development Regions. The study showed a low prevalence of demand for health services among adolescents and contextual inequalities for the geopolitical region. Having a health insurance was an important marker to understand the disparities in the economic status and in the type of municipality.

Os objetivos foram descrever a prevalência de procura por serviços de saúde entre adolescentes brasileiros e investigar sua associação com características contextuais do território. O estudo utilizou dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2019, realizada com 43.774 indivíduos de 10 a 19 anos. A informação do adolescente foi obtida por meio de um morador proxy de 18 anos ou mais que respondia por si e por todos os moradores da casa. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para avaliar a procura por serviços de saúde de acordo com região geopolítica, situação censitária e tipo de município. Também foi avaliada a interação da variável "plano de saúde" nessas associações. Do total, 11,7% (IC95%: 11,1; 12,3) dos adolescentes procuraram serviços de saúde nas duas semanas anteriores à pesquisa. Maiores prevalências de procura foram observadas nas regiões Sudeste (RP = 1,32; IC95%: 1,15; 1,52) e Sul (RP = 1,31; IC95%: 1,13; 1,52) em comparação à Região Norte do país. O acesso a plano de saúde aumentou a busca pelos serviços por adolescentes residentes nas áreas rurais e nas capitais e municípios das Regiões Metropolitanas e/ou Regiões Integradas de Desenvolvimento. O estudo evidenciou baixa prevalência de procura por serviços de saúde entre adolescentes e desigualdades contextuais para a região geopolítica. Ter plano de saúde foi um marcador importante para entender as disparidades na situação censitária e no tipo de município.

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la prevalencia de la demanda de servicios de salud entre los adolescentes brasileños e investigar su asociación con las características contextuales del territorio. Estudio con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud, realizada en 2019 con 43.774 individuos de entre 10 y 19 años de edad. La información del adolescente se obtuvo de un residente proxy de 18 años o más que era responsable de sí mismo y de todos los residentes de la casa. La regresión de Poisson se utilizó para evaluar la demanda de servicios de salud según la región geopolítica, la situación en el censo y el tipo de municipio. También se evaluó la interacción de la variable seguro médico en estas asociaciones. Del total, el 11,7% (IC95%: 11,1; 12,3) de los adolescentes buscaron servicios de salud en las dos semanas previas a la encuesta. Se observó mayor prevalencia de demanda en las regiones Sudeste (RP = 1,32; IC95%: 1,15; 1,52) y Sur (RP = 1,31; IC95%: 1,13; 1,52) en comparación con el Norte del país. Tener un seguro médico incrementó la búsqueda de servicios por parte de los adolescentes que viven en áreas rurales y en las capitales y municipios de de las Regiones Metropolitanas y/o Regiones de Desarrollo Integrado. El estudio apuntó a una baja prevalencia de demanda de servicios de salud entre los adolescentes y desigualdades contextuales según la región geopolítica. Tener un seguro médico fue un marcador importante para comprender las disparidades según la situación del censo y el tipo de municipio.

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.