Assessing the Level of Poverty and Utilization of Government Social Programs Among Tobacco Farmers in Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION: Studies examining profit suggest that former tobacco farmers do as well or better than current tobacco farmers. Research has yet to examine the relationship among current and former tobacco farmers, poverty, and receipt of government social assistance. This type of research is critical to understanding the direct and indirect subsidization of tobacco growing. This study analyzed tobacco farmers' poverty levels and receipt of government social assistance programs. AIMS AND METHODS: We designed and conducted an original four-wave economic survey of current and former tobacco farming households in Indonesia between 2016 and 2022. We then used descriptive analysis and probit regression for panel data to estimate the relationship between tobacco farming and poverty status. RESULTS: Tobacco farmers' per capita income and poverty rates vary across years. The poverty rate was significantly higher in the year with a higher-than-normal rainfall as it negatively affected farming outcomes. During this year, the poverty rate among current tobacco farmers was also higher than that of former tobacco farmers. Regression estimates from the panel data confirm the association between tobacco farming and the likelihood of being poor. We also found a high share of current tobacco farmers who receive government social assistance programs, such as cash transfer programs and a universal healthcare program. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show high poverty rates-particularly during bad farming years-and high rates of government social assistance among tobacco farmers. The high rates of government assistance among tobacco farmers living in poverty show that the government is indirectly subsidizing the tobacco industry.

Charges, length of stay, and complication associations with trauma center ownership in adult patients with mild to moderate trauma.

BACKGROUND: For-profit (FP) trauma centers (TCs) charge more for trauma care than not-for-profit (NFP) centers. We sought to determine charges, length of stay (LOS), and complications associations with TC ownership status (FP, NFP, and government) for three diagnoses among patients with overall low injury severity. METHODS: Adult patients treated at TCs with an International Classification of Diseases-based injury severity score (ICISS) survival probability ≥ 0.85 were identified. Only those who with a principal diagnosis of femur, tibial or rib fractures were included. RESULTS: Total charges were significantly higher at FP centers than NFP and lower at government centers (89.6% and -12.8%, respectively). FP TCs had a 12.5% longer LOS and government TCs had a 20.4% longer LOS than NFP TCs. CONCLUSION: Patients presenting to FP TCs with mild/moderate femur, tibial, or rib fractures experienced higher charges and increased LOS compared with government or NFP centers. There was no difference in overall complication rates.

Evidence of the effect of primary care expansion on hospitalizations: Panel analysis of 143 municipalities in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: The Family Health Strategy (FHS) became consolidated as a primary care model and gatekeeper for the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS) in the Brazil and it is considered one of the largest primary health care programmes in the world. Its rapid expansion allowed the SUS to meet the changing health care needs of the population remote localities of Brazilian municipalities. METHODS: In the present study, exploratory data analysis was performed using modelling to provide a general overview of the study and to delineate possible structural characteristics of the cross-sectional time-series data. Panel regression methods were used to assess the association between FHS coverage and ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations (ACSH rates) in the municipalities of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon, from 2008 to 2017. RESULTS: The results showed strong evidence for the association between FHS coverage and ACSH rates, including reductions of 22% in preventable hospitalizations and 15% in hospital expenses that were directly linked to the 40% increase in FHS population coverage during the evaluated period. This expansion of primary care has mainly benefitted areas that are difficult to access and populations that were previously deprived of health care in the vast Amazon territory. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show that the increase of the expansion of primary care reduces the preventable hospitalization and the hospital expenses. This reinforces the need for public protection of the health of populations at risk and the positive impacts of primary care in the Brazilian Amazon.

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on obstetric fistula repair program in Zimbabwe.

The advent of Covid-19 pandemic adversely affected many programs worldwide, public health, including programming for obstetric fistula were not spared. Obstetric fistula is an abnormal connection between the vagina and the bladder or the rectum resulting from obstetric causes, mainly prolonged obstructed labour. Zimbabwe has two obstetric fistula repair centers. Because the program uses specialist surgeons from outside the country, the repairs are organized in quarterly camps with a target to repair 90 women per quarter. This study aimed at assessing the impact of restrictions on movement and gathering of people brought about by the Cocid-19 pandemic and to characterize participants of the camp which was held in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic at Mashoko Hospital. Specifically it looked at how Covid-19 pandemic affected programming for obstetric fistula repair and characterized participants of the fistula camp held in November to December 2020 at one of the repair centers. A review of the dataset and surgical log sheets for the camp and national obstetric fistula dataset was conducted. Variables of interest were extracted onto an excel spreadsheet and analyzed for frequencies and proportions. Data were presented in charts, tables and narratives. The study noted that Covid-19 pandemic negatively affected performance of fistula repairs greatly with only 25 women repaired in 2020 as compared to 313 in 2019. Ninety women were called to come for repairs but 52 did not manage to attend due to reasons related to the restriction of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Two thirds of those women suffered from urinary incontinence while the other third had fecal incontinence. The successful repair rate was 92%. This study concluded that the pandemic greatly affected programming of fistula repair in the country and recommended the Ministry of Health and Child Care to institute measures to resume programming as soon as the situation allows.

Comparison of out-of-pocket expenditure and catastrophic health expenditure for severe disease by the health security system: based on end-stage renal disease in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Korea's health security system named the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid has revolutionized the nation's mandatory health insurance and continues to reduce excessive copayments. However, few studies have examined healthcare utilization and expenditure by the health security system for severe diseases. This study looked at reverse discrimination regarding end-stage renal disease by the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid. METHODS: A total of 305 subjects were diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in the Korea Health Panel from 2008 to 2013. Chi-square, t-test, and ANCOVA were conducted to identify the healthcare utilization rate, out-of-pocket expenditure, and the prevalence of catastrophic expenditure. Mixed effect panel analysis was used to evaluate total out-of-pocket expenditure by the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid over a 6-year period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the healthcare utilization rate for emergency room visits, admissions, or outpatient department visits between the National Health Insurance and Medical Aid because these healthcare services were essential for individuals with serious diseases, such as end-stage renal disease. Meanwhile, each out-of-pocket expenditure for an admission and the outpatient department by the National Health Insurance was 2.6 and 3.1 times higher than that of Medical Aid (P < 0.05). The total out-of-pocket expenditure, including that for emergency room visits, admission, outpatient department visits, and prescribed drugs, was 2.9 times higher for the National Health Insurance than Medical Aid (P < 0.001). Over a 6-year period, in terms of total of out-of-pocket expenditure, subjects with the National Health Insurance spent more than those with Medical Aid (P < 0.01). If the total household income decile was less than the median and subjects were covered by the National Health Insurance, the catastrophic health expenditure rate was 92.2%, but it was only 58.8% for Medical Aid (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Individuals with serious diseases, such as end-stage renal disease, can be faced with reverse discrimination depending on the type of insurance that is provided by the health security system. It is necessary to consider individuals who have National Health Insurance but are still poor.

Oferta de programas para el desarrollo integral de la primera infancia en Chile: revisión exploratoria / Program offer for the integral development of early childhood in Chile: scoping review

OBJETIVO: Describir la oferta programática en primera infancia destinada a favorecer el desarrollo infantil integral en Chile. MÉTODO: Se realizó una revisión exploratoria siguiendo el marco método lógico del Joanna Briggs Institute. La búsqueda fue realizada por un investigador y los criterios de inclusión fueron: programas gubernamentales destinados al desarrollo integral en menores de 5 años en Chile. Los datos fueron organizados y sintetizados para describir características del programa y de la o las prestaciones que entrega. RESULTADOS: La búsqueda identificó 2060 documentos y 72 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Se describen 59 programas vigentes que abarcan la primera infancia, es tando principalmente a cargo de los Ministerio de Justicia, Educación, Salud y Desarrollo Social. Los programas están destinados en su mayoría a la promoción e intervención, se encuentran focalizados en población vulnerable, son intersectoriales y utilizan diversas estrategias para su implementación. CONCLUSIÓN: La oferta programática en Chile para la primera infancia presenta características sugeridas como efectivas para favorecer el desarrollo infantil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the program offering designed to promote comprehensive early childhood de velopment in Chile. METHOD: A scoping review was carried out following the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodological framework. A researcher conducted the review considering as inclusion criteria go vernment programs aimed at the comprehensive development of children under 5 years of age in Chile. The data were organized and synthesized to describe the characteristics of the program and the service(s) it provides. RESULTS: The search identified 2.060 documents and 72 met the inclusion crite ria. 59 current programs are covering early childhood, which are mainly managed by the Ministries of Justice, Education, Health, and Social Development. Most of the programs are aimed at promotion and intervention, focusing on vulnerable populations, are cross-sectoral, and use different strategies for their implementation. CONCLUSION: The program offering in Chile for early childhood has charac teristics suggested as effective to promote child development.

Prevalence of use and sources of antihypertensive medicine in Brazil: an analysis of the VIGITEL telephone survey. / Prevalência de uso e fontes de obtenção de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos no Brasil: análise do inquérito telefônico VIGITEL.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of hypertension in Brazil and worldwide has been increasing in recent decades, and drug therapy is one of the strategies used to control this condition. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use and identify the sources for obtaining antihypertensive drugs in Brazil, according to sociodemographic variables, comparing three periods: 2011, 2014 and 2017. METHODS: Data from individuals aged ≥20 years who reported a medical diagnosis of hypertension, interviewed by Vigitel in 2011, 2014 and 2017 were used. Frequency and prevalence of drug use in addition to the sources for obtaining medication were estimated by sociodemographic variables, with 95% confidence intervals. The differences between proportions were verified by Pearson's chi-square test (Rao-Scott), with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of antihypertensive drug use remained stable (80%). Regarding the sources for obtaining these medicines, there was variation in the period, indicating a decrease in usage through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) (44.2% in 2011; 30.5% in 2017). This decrease was accompanied with increase in PFPB (16.1% in 2011; 29.9% in 2017). The prevalence of other sources for obtaining medicine (private pharmacies/drugstores) showed stability in the period. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of medication use remained high and there was a change in the pattern of use according to sources, demonstrating migration between SUS pharmacies to the PFPB, and suggesting a reduction in the availability of medicines from public pharmacies universally, and for free.

Prevalência de uso e fontes de obtenção de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos no Brasil: análise do inquérito telefônico VIGITEL / Prevalence of use and sources of antihypertensive medicine in Brazil: an analysis of the VIGITEL telephone survey

RESUMO: Objetivo: A prevalência de hipertensão arterial no Brasil e no mundo vem aumentando nas últimas décadas, sendo o uso de medicamentos uma das estratégias utilizadas no controle da doença. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de uso e identificar as fontes de obtenção de anti-hipertensivos no Brasil, segundo variáveis sociodemográficas, comparando três períodos: 2011, 2014 e 2017. Métodos: Foram utilizados dados de indivíduos com idade ≥20 anos que referiram diagnóstico médico de hipertensão arterial, entrevistados pelo Vigitel nos anos de 2011, 2014 e 2017. Foi estimada a distribuição de frequências e as prevalências de uso de medicamentos, segundo variáveis sociodemográficas, de acordo com as fontes de obtenção, com intervalos de confiança de 95%. As diferenças entre as proporções foram verificadas pelo teste χ2 de Pearson (Rao-Scott), com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A prevalência de uso manteve-se estável (80%). Quanto às fontes de obtenção observou-se variação no período, indicando diminuição na obtenção por meio das Unidades de Saúde do SUS (44,2% em 2011; 30,5% em 2017). Esse decréscimo esteve acompanhado do aumento na obtenção pela Farmácia Popular (16,1% em 2011; 29,9% em 2017). A prevalência de obtenção por meio de farmácias privadas/drogarias mostrou estabilidade no período. Conclusões: A prevalência de uso de medicamentos se manteve alta e houve modificação no padrão de utilização segundo fontes de obtenção, evidenciando migração entre Unidades de Saúde do SUS para a Farmácia Popular, sugerindo redução da disponibilidade dos medicamentos pelas farmácias públicas de forma universal e gratuita.

ABSTRACT: Objective: The prevalence of hypertension in Brazil and worldwide has been increasing in recent decades, and drug therapy is one of the strategies used to control this condition. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use and identify the sources for obtaining antihypertensive drugs in Brazil, according to sociodemographic variables, comparing three periods: 2011, 2014 and 2017. Methods: Data from individuals aged ≥20 years who reported a medical diagnosis of hypertension, interviewed by Vigitel in 2011, 2014 and 2017 were used. Frequency and prevalence of drug use in addition to the sources for obtaining medication were estimated by sociodemographic variables, with 95% confidence intervals. The differences between proportions were verified by Pearson's chi-square test (Rao-Scott), with a significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of antihypertensive drug use remained stable (80%). Regarding the sources for obtaining these medicines, there was variation in the period, indicating a decrease in usage through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) (44.2% in 2011; 30.5% in 2017). This decrease was accompanied with increase in PFPB (16.1% in 2011; 29.9% in 2017). The prevalence of other sources for obtaining medicine (private pharmacies/drugstores) showed stability in the period. Conclusions: The prevalence of medication use remained high and there was a change in the pattern of use according to sources, demonstrating migration between SUS pharmacies to the PFPB, and suggesting a reduction in the availability of medicines from public pharmacies universally, and for free.

Quit Happens: A community clinic-based, multitiered smoking cessation intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the "Quit Happens" program launched to reduce tobacco use in low-income populations in a federally qualified nonprofit health center with clinics in Washington and Idaho. Quit Happens was implemented in 2015 and involved a public health nurse, patient, provider, clinic, health system, and community components. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This smoking cessation program was assessed using a pre-post evaluation design. Nine clinics in a single system of federally qualified nonprofit health centers participated in this program. INTERVENTION: The Quit Happens program was implemented across nine clinics in Washington and Idaho. A specialized public health nurse led the tobacco cessation training of all clinic staff and assisted with development of the smoking cessation program. The 5A model was used as the framework for the training. MEASUREMENTS: The proportion of patients identifying as a current or former smoker was measured using data extracted from electronic health records. RESULTS: Declines in patient reports of currently smoking were observed between 2016 and 2018. The percent of current smokers identified in electronic health records decreased 18.7% and percent of former smokers doubled. CONCLUSION: This community-based tobacco cessation program had wide clinic and community support and self-reported smoking behavior declined over time. A public health nurse's leadership in offering training and program development around tobacco cessation to a local community organization can contribute to reductions in smoking rates.

Programa Bolsa Família e indicadores educacionais em crianças, adolescentes e escolas no Brasil: revisão sistemática / The Bolsa Família Program and educational indicators of children, adolescents, and schools in Brazil: a systematic review

Resumo O Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) é de transferência condicionada de renda, sendo a principal estratégia do Brasil para o combate à pobreza extrema, à fome e à desigualdade social. As condicionalidades na educação propiciam as condições de escolarização para os beneficiários. O objetivo do estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática para avaliar os desfechos (efeitos e impactos) do Programa Bolsa Família em indicadores educacionais entre os beneficiários. Foram consultadas as bases Medline, Lilacs, EBSCO, Econstor, Science Direct e Web of Knowledge. A qualidade metodológica dos artigos incluídos foi avaliada por meio de escores da escala de Downs & Black. Foram identificados 2.391 estudos e selecionados 12. Houve evidências de que o PBF tem desfechos positivos em indicadores educacionais para o sexo feminino e para a Região Norte. Como resultados, demostrou-se que o PBF não tem repercussão na proficiência e no desempenho escolar, mas impacta significativamente nas taxas de abandono e na frequência escolar.

Abstract The "Bolsa Família" Program (BFP) is an income transfer program based on meeting certain conditions, being Brazil's main strategy for combating extreme poverty, hunger and social inequality. To satisfy the educational criteria, the offspring of the beneficiary families must attend school and score minimum school attendance rates. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to assess the outcomes (effects and impact) of the BFP on educational indicators among the beneficiary families. A search was conducted in the Medline, Lilacs, EBSCO, Econstor, Science Direct and Web of Knowledge databases and the methodological quality of the articles included was evaluated using the Downs & Black checklist. Of the 2,391 studies identified, only 12 were selected. There was evidence that BFP had positive outcomes on educational indicators for the female gender and for the Northern region of Brazil. The results showed that BFP has no impact on academic proficiency and performance, but has a significant impact on school attendance and dropout rates.

Incidence and Mortality Rates of Second Pancreatic Cancer Among Survivors of Digestive Cancers: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the incidence and mortality rates of second pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) among survivors of digestive cancers in South Korea. METHODS: We evaluated data from the Korea National Health Insurance to identify individuals with digestive cancers in 2005 to 2015. The standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of second PDACs and survival rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 772,534 patients with first digestive cancers, 1696 (0.22%) developed second PDACs. The incidence of second PDACs increased until 10 years since the first cancer diagnosis. Patients with biliary tract cancers (BTCs) showed a higher incidence of second PDACs than did those with gastrointestinal cancers or hepatocellular carcinoma. In ages 20 to 49 years, SIRs (95% confidence interval) were higher in survivors of hepatocellular carcinoma (3.08; 1.04-3.08), gastric cancer (3.40; 1.90-3.40), colorectal cancer (5.00; 2.75-5.00), gallbladder cancer (58.52; 11.81-58.52), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (86.99; 1.73-86.99), extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (89.41; 27.42-89.41), and ampulla of Vater cancer (156.78; 48.08-156.78). In ages 50 to 64 years, colorectal cancer (1.42; 1.04-1.42), gastric cancer (1.66; 1.29-1.66), and BTCs revealed higher SIRs. In ages more than 65 years, SIR was increased only in BTCs. Second PDACs revealed a more favorable prognosis than first PDACs. CONCLUSIONS: Careful surveillance for second PDACs after curative treatment of BTCs and colorectal cancers should be considered.

Foco e cobertura do programa Bolsa Família em crianças das coortes de nascimento BRISA, Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo) e São Luís (Maranhão), Brasil / Targeting and coverage of the Bolsa Família program in children from the BRISA Birth Cohorts, Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo State) and São Luís (Maranhão State), Brazil / Atención y cobertura del programa Bolsa Familia en niños procedentes de las cohortes de nacimiento BRISA, Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo) y São Luís (Maranhão), Brasil

Estudo transversal aninhado a uma coorte, que teve como objetivo descrever foco e cobertura do programa Bolsa Família em crianças de 13-35 meses de idade. Fez-se uso de dados das coortes de nascimento BRISA, em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, e São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. O início das coortes ocorreu em 2010, com a inclusão de todos os nascimentos em Ribeirão Preto (7.794) e 5.236 em São Luís, abrangendo amostra aleatória de um terço. No seguimento, realizado de 2011 a 2013, retornaram 3.805 crianças em Ribeirão Preto e 3.308 em São Luís. Foram utilizados dados do momento do seguimento, e estes foram integrados às informações do Cadastro Único (CadÚnico). Consideraram-se dois critérios de elegibilidade para o benefício do Bolsa Família: renda familiar per capita mensal de até R$ 140,00 e classe econômica D/E. Estimaram-se percentuais de foco e cobertura do Bolsa Família. Realizou-se ponderação para perdas de seguimento. O foco do Bolsa Família, segundo renda familiar per capita mensal, foi de 33,8% em São Luís e 15,9% em Ribeirão Preto, e de acordo com a classe econômica foi de 33,7% em São Luís e 15,3% em Ribeirão Preto. A cobertura do Bolsa Família, de acordo com o critério de renda familiar per capita mensal, foi de 82,1% em São Luís e 71,6% em Ribeirão Preto; e segundo classe econômica foi de 68,9% em São Luís e 46,8% em Ribeirão Preto. Foram baixos os percentuais de foco e melhores os de cobertura do Bolsa Família, com estimativas destes indicadores maiores para São Luís em relação a Ribeirão Preto.

The aim of this cross-sectional study nested in a cohort was to describe the targeting and coverage of the Family Income program in children 13 to 35 months of age. Data were obtained from the BRISA Birth Cohorts in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, and São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil. The cohorts started in 2010 with the inclusion of all the births in Ribeirão Preto (7,794) and 5,236 in São Luís, covering a random sample of one third. In the follow-up waves in 2011 and 2013, 3,805 children returned in Ribeirão Preto and 3,308 in São Luís. The data were used from the time of follow-up and were integrated with the information from the Single Registry (CadÚnico). Two eligibility criteria were considered for receiving the Family Income benefit: monthly per capita family income of BRL 140.00 or less (approximately USD 38.00) and economic classes D/E. The percentages of targeting and covering were estimated for Family Income. Weighting was performed for losses to follow-up. According to family income, the program's targeting was 33.8% in São Luís and 15.9% in Ribeirão Preto; according to economic class, it was 33.7% in São Luís and 15.3% in Ribeirão Preto. According to per capita family income, coverage was 82.1% in São Luís and 71.6% in Ribeirão Preto; and according to economic class it was 68.9% in São Luís and 46.8% in Ribeirão Preto. The program's targeting rates were low, while the coverage rates were better. Both indicators were higher in São Luís than in Ribeirão Preto.

Se trata de un estudio transversal anidado en una cohorte, cuyo objetivo fue describir la atención y cobertura del programa Bolsa Familia (PBF), en niños de 13 a 35 meses de edad. Se usaron datos de las cohortes de nacimiento BRISA, en Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, y São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. El inicio de las cohortes fue 2010, con la inclusión de todos los nacimientos en Ribeirão Preto (7.794) y 5.236 en São Luís, abarcando un tercio de la muestra aleatoria. En el seguimiento, realizado de 2011 a 2013, regresaron 3.805 niños en Ribeirão Preto y 3.308 en São Luís. Se utilizaron los datos recogidos cuando se realizó el seguimiento y, posteriormente, se integraron en la información que proporciona el Registro Único (CadÚnico). Se consideraron dos criterios de elegibilidad para ser beneficiario del Bolsa Familia renta familiar per cápita mensual de hasta BRL 140,00 y clase económica D/E. Se estimaron porcentajes de atención y cobertura del Bolsa Familia. Se realizó una ponderación respecto a las pérdidas en el seguimiento. La atención del Bolsa Familia, según renta familiar per cápita mensual, alcanzó a un 33,8% en São Luís y un 15,9% en Ribeirão Preto; y según la clase económica, fue de un 33,7% en São Luís y un 15,3% en Ribeirão Preto. La cobertura del Bolsa Familia, de acuerdo con el criterio de renta familiar per cápita mensual, fue de un 82,1% en São Luís y un 71,6% en Ribeirão Preto; y según la clase económica fue de un 68,9% en São Luís y un 46,8% en Ribeirão Preto. Fueron bajos los porcentajes de atención y mejores los porcentajes de cobertura del Bolsa Familia, con estimaciones mayores de esos indicadores en São Luís, en comparación con los de Ribeirão Preto.

Progress of children with severe acute malnutrition in the malnutrition treatment centre rehabilitation program: evidence from a prospective study in Jharkhand, India.

BACKGROUND: In Jharkhand, Malnutrition Treatment Centres (MTCs) have been established to provide care to children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The study examined the effects of facility- and community based care provided as part the MTC program on children with severe acute malnutrition. METHOD: A cohort of 150 children were enrolled and interviewed by trained investigators at admission, discharge, and after two months on the completion of the community-based phase of the MTC program. Trained investigators collected data on diet, morbidity, anthropometry, and utilization of health and nutrition services. RESULTS: We found no deaths among children attending the MTC program. Recovery was poor, and the majority of children demonstrated poor weight gain, with severe wasting and underweight reported in 52 and 83% of the children respectively at the completion of the community-based phase of the MTC program. The average weight gain in the MTC facility (3.8 ± 5.9 g/kg body weight/d) and after discharge (0.6 ± 2.1 g/kg body weight/d) was below recommended standards. 67% of the children consumed food that met less than 50% of the recommended energy and protein requirement. Children experienced high number of illness episodes after discharge: 68% children had coughs and cold, 40% had fever and 35% had diarrhoea. Multiple morbidities were common: 50% of children had two or more episodes of illness. Caregiver's exposure to MTC's health and nutrition education sessions and meetings with frontline workers did not improve feeding practices at home. The take-home ration amount distributed to children through the supplementary food program was inadequate to achieve growth benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of children during and after the MTC program was suboptimal. This highlights the need for additional support to strengthen MTC program so that effective care to children can be provided.

Comparing the New York State Smokers' Quitline Reach, Services Offered, and Quit Outcomes to 44 Other State Quitlines, 2010 to 2015.

PURPOSE: To summarize the reach, services offered, and cessation outcomes of the New York Quitline and compare with other state quitlines. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Forty-five US states. PARTICIPANTS: State-sponsored tobacco cessation quitlines in 45 US states that provided complete data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Quitline Data Warehouse (NQDW) for 24 quarters over 6 years (2010-Q1 through 2015-Q4). INTERVENTION: Telephone quitlines that offer tobacco use cessation services, including counseling, self-help materials, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), to smokers at no cost to them. MEASURES: Percentage of adult tobacco users in the state who received counseling and/or free NRT from state quitlines (reach), services offered by state quitlines, and cessation outcomes among quitline clients 7 months after using quitline services. ANALYSIS: Reach, services offered, and cessation outcomes for the New York Quitline were compared with similar measures for the other 44 state quitlines with complete NQDW data for all quarters from 2010 through 2015. RESULTS: New York's average annual quitline reach from 2010 through 2015 was 3.0% per year compared to 1.1% per year for the other 44 states examined. CONCLUSION: Although the New York Quitline was open fewer hours per week and offered fewer counseling sessions and a smaller amount of free NRT than most of the other 44 state quitlines, the New York Quitline had similar quit rates to most of those state quitlines.

Improving skills and institutional capacity to strengthen adolescent immunisation programmes and health systems in African countries through HPV vaccine introduction.

Several African countries have recently introduced or are currently introducing the HPV vaccine, either nationwide or through demonstration projects, while some countries are planning for introduction. A collaborative project was developed to strengthen country adolescent immunisation programmes and health systems in the African Region, addressing unique public health considerations of HPV vaccination: adolescents as the primary target group, delivery platforms (e.g. school-based and facility based), socio-behavioural issues, and the opportunity to deliver other health interventions alongside HPV vaccination. Following a successful "taking-stock" meeting, a training programme was drafted to assist countries to strengthen the integration of adolescent health interventions using HPV vaccination as an entry point. Two workshops were conducted in the Eastern and Southern African Regions. All countries reported on progress made during a final joint symposium. Of the 20 countries invited to participate in either of the workshops and/or final symposium, 17 countries participated: Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Countries that are currently implementing HPV vaccination programmes, either nationally or through demonstration projects, reported varying degrees of integration with other adolescent health interventions. The most commonly reported adolescent health interventions alongside HPV vaccination include health education (including sexually transmitted infections), deworming and delivering of other vaccines like tetanus toxoid (TT) or tetanus diphtheria (Td). The project has successfully (a) established an African-based network that will advocate for incorporating the HPV vaccine into national immunisation programmes; (b) created a platform for experience exchange and thereby contributed to novel ideas of revitalising and strengthening school-based health programmes as delivery platform of adolescent immunisation services and other adolescent health interventions, as well as identifying ways of reaching out-of-school girls through facility and community based programmes; and (c) laid a foundation for incorporating future adolescent vaccination programmes.

Race/Ethnic Variations in Quitline Use Among US Adult Tobacco Users in 45 States, 2011-2013.

INTRODUCTION: State quitlines provide free telephone-based cessation services and are available in all states. However, quitlines presently reach 1% of US cigarette smokers. We assessed variations in quitline reach by race/ethnicity across 45 US states included in the National Quitline Data Warehouse, a repository on non-identifiable data reported by state quitlines. METHODS: During 2011 to 2013, we analyzed 1 220 171 records from the National Quitline Data Warehouse. Annual quitline reach was defined as the proportion of cigarette smokers and smokeless tobacco users who utilized quitline services during each year, and was calculated by dividing the number of state-specific quitline registrants in each year by the number of adult cigarette smokers and smokeless tobacco users in the state. RESULTS: Average annual reach ranged from: 0.08% (Tennessee) to 3.42% (Hawaii) among non-Hispanic whites; 0.17% (Tennessee) to 3.85% (Delaware) among non-Hispanic blacks; 0.27% (Nevada) to 9.98% (Delaware) among non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Native; 0.03% (Alabama) to 2.43% (Hawaii) among non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders; and from 0.08% (Tennessee) to 3.18% (Maine) among Hispanics. Average annual reach was highest among non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Native in 27 states, non-Hispanic blacks in 14 states, and non-Hispanic whites in four states. CONCLUSIONS: Quitlines appear to be reaching minority populations; however, overall reach remains low and variations in quitline reach exist by race/ethnicity. Opportunities exist to increase the utilization of quitlines and other effective cessation treatments among racial/ethnic minority populations. IMPLICATIONS: Some studies have assessed quitline reach across demographic groups in individual states; however, no studies have provided multistate data about quitline reach across race/ethnic groups. Ongoing monitoring of the use of state quitlines can help guide targeted outreach to particular race/ethnic groups with the goal of increasing the overall proportion and number of tobacco users that use quitlines. These efforts should be complemented by comprehensive tobacco control initiatives that increase cessation including mass media campaigns, smoke-free policies, increased tobacco prices, expansion of health insurance coverage, and health systems change.

Perfil da demanda e dos Benefícios de Prestação Continuada (BPC) concedidos a crianças com diagnóstico de microcefalia no Brasil / Profile of demand and Continuous Cash Benefits (BCP) granted to children diagnosed with microcephaly in Brazil

Resumo A Constituição Federal de 1988 introduziu o Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) possibilitando a inclusão de pessoas com deficiência. Estudo descritivo, com dados municipais agregados, da distribuição temporal e geográfica da incidência de microcefalia relacionada ao Zika vírus no Brasil e dados das concessões de BPC a crianças com diagnóstico de microcefalia. Apresentam-se dados sobre a demanda e a concessão do BPC para crianças com microcefalia desde 2009. Os casos de microcefalia e/ou alteração do sistema nervoso central foram obtidos do Ministério da Saúde e totalizaram 2.366 casos confirmados de 01/01/2015 a 31/12/2016. A série histórica da concessão de BPC de 2009 a 2016 foi elaborada a partir de dados do Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social e mostrou, até 2014, uma linha de base com a média de 200 benefícios anuais para crianças menores de 48 meses com microcefalia. Em 2016 as concessões aumentaram oito vezes atingindo 1.603 benefícios concedidos a crianças de 731 municípios, das 27 Unidades da Federação. A Região Nordeste concentrou 73% dos BPC concedidos, mas, ainda assim, isto representou menos do que 65% da demanda de casos incidentes. É preciso reforçar a implementação do sistema de referência integrado, inclusive com busca ativa, para que todas as crianças com direito ao BPC tenham acesso.

Abstract The Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 introduced the Continuous Cash Benefits (BCP), allowing the inclusion of people with disabilities. This is a descriptive study with aggregate municipal data about the time and geographic distribution of the incidence of microcephaly related to the Zika virus in Brazil and data of the BCP grants to children diagnosed with microcephaly. Data on the demand and BCP grants to children with microcephaly since 2009 are shown. Cases of microcephaly and/or central nervous system disorders were obtained from the Ministry of Health and totaled 2,366 confirmed cases from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. The historical series of BCP granted from 2009 to 2016 was based on data from the National Institute of Social Security and showed, until 2014, a baseline with an average of 200 annual benefits for children younger than 48 months with microcephaly. In 2016, grants increased eight times, reaching 1,603 benefits granted to children of 731 municipalities spread in the 27 States. The Northeast accounted for 73% of the BCPs granted, however, this was less than 65% of the demand for incident cases. The implementation of the integrated referral system, including active search, should be strengthened to ensure access to all children entitled to BCP.

The New York State Healthy Neighborhoods Program: Findings From an Evaluation of a Large-Scale, Multisite, State-Funded Healthy Homes Program.

CONTEXT: A growing evidence base suggests that a comprehensive healthy homes approach may be an effective strategy for improving housing hazards that affect health, but questions remain about the feasibility of large-scale implementation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a large-scale, multisite, state-funded healthy homes program. SETTING: Homes in high-risk neighborhoods of 13 counties funded under the New York State Healthy Neighborhoods Program (NYS HNP) from 2008 to 2012. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 28 491 homes received an initial visit and 6436 dwellings received a revisit (follow-up assessment 3 to 6 months after the intervention). A majority of residents are low-income renters living in buildings built prior to 1950. INTERVENTION: The NYS HNP is a low-intensity healthy homes program. Participating homes undergo a visual assessment to identify potential environmental health and safety hazards, and interventions (education, referrals, and products) are provided to address any hazards identified during the visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of homes affected by several types of housing hazards, improvement in hazards among revisited homes, and the change in the overall number of hazards per home were assessed. RESULTS: Among the homes that were revisited, there were significant improvements in the conditions assessed for tobacco control, fire safety, lead poisoning prevention, indoor air quality, and other hazards (including pests and mold). There was a significant reduction in the number of hazards per home (2.8 to 1.5; P < .001), but homes were not hazard-free at the revisit. CONCLUSION: This evaluation suggests that a comprehensive, low-intensity healthy housing approach can produce short-term impacts with public health significance. This evaluation provides information about hazards that are common, easily assessed, and easily corrected or improved, which may be of use to a variety of programs that already provide in-home services and are seeking to expand the scope of their visits or to inform the development of new programs.

Sub-national health care financing reforms in Indonesia.

Indonesia has seen an emergence of local health care financing schemes over the last decade, implemented and operated by district governments. Often motivated by the local political context and characterized by a large degree of heterogeneity in scope and design, the common objective of the district schemes is to address the coverage gaps for the informal sector left by national social health insurance programs. This paper investigates the effect of these local health care financing schemes on access to health care and financial protection. Using data from a unique survey among District Health Offices, combined with data from the annual National Socioeconomic Surveys, the study is based on a fixed effects analysis for a panel of 262 districts over the period 2004-10, exploiting variation in local health financing reforms across districts in terms of type of reform and timing of implementation. Although the schemes had a modest impact on average, they do seem to have provided some contribution to closing the coverage gap, by increasing outpatient utilization for households in the middle quintiles that tend to fall just outside the target population of the national subsidized programs. However, there seems to be little effect on hospitalization or financial protection, indicating the limitations of local health care financing policies. In addition, we see effect heterogeneity across districts due to differences in design features.