Tregs with an MHC class II peptide-specific chimeric antigen receptor prevent autoimmune diabetes in mice.

Adoptive immunotherapy with Tregs is a promising approach for preventing or treating type 1 diabetes. Islet antigen-specific Tregs have more potent therapeutic effects than polyclonal cells, but their low frequency is a barrier for clinical application. To generate Tregs that recognize islet antigens, we engineered a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) derived from a monoclonal antibody with specificity for the insulin B chain 10-23 peptide presented in the context of the IAg7 MHC class II allele present in NOD mice. Peptide specificity of the resulting InsB-g7 CAR was confirmed by tetramer staining and T cell proliferation in response to recombinant or islet-derived peptide. The InsB-g7 CAR redirected NOD Treg specificity such that insulin B 10-23-peptide stimulation enhanced suppressive function, measured via reduction of proliferation and IL-2 production by BDC2.5 T cells and CD80 and CD86 expression on dendritic cells. Cotransfer of InsB-g7 CAR Tregs prevented adoptive transfer diabetes by BDC2.5 T cells in immunodeficient NOD mice. In WT NOD mice, InsB-g7 CAR Tregs prevented spontaneous diabetes. These results show that engineering Treg specificity for islet antigens using a T cell receptor-like CAR is a promising therapeutic approach for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes.

Insulin B peptide-MHC class II-specific chimeric antigen receptor-Tregs prevent autoimmune diabetes.

Adoptive immunotherapy with Tregs is a promising approach for prevention or treatment of type 1 diabetes. Islet antigen-specific Tregs have more potent therapeutic effects than polyclonal cells, but their low frequency is a barrier for clinical application. To generate Tregs that recognize islet antigens, we engineered a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) derived from a monoclonal antibody with specificity for the insulin B-chain 10-23 peptide presented in the context of the IA g7 MHC class II allele present in NOD mice. Peptide specificity of the resulting InsB-g7 CAR was confirmed by tetramer staining and T cell proliferation in response to recombinant or islet-derived peptide. The InsB-g7 CAR re-directed NOD Treg specificity such that insulin B 10-23-peptide stimulation enhanced suppressive function, measured via reduction of proliferation and IL-2 production by BDC2.5 T cells and CD80 and CD86 expression on dendritic cells. Co-transfer of InsB-g7 CAR Tregs prevented adoptive transfer diabetes by BDC2.5 T cells in immunodeficient NOD mice. In wild type NOD mice, InsB-g7 CAR Tregs stably expressed Foxp3 and prevented spontaneous diabetes. These results show that engineering Treg specificity for islet antigens using a T cell receptor-like CAR is a promising new therapeutic approach for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes. Brief Summary: Chimeric antigen receptor Tregs specific for an insulin B-chain peptide presented by MHC class II prevent autoimmune diabetes.

Oral administration of botryosphaeran [(1 → 3)(1 → 6)-ß-d-glucan] reduces inflammation through modulation of leukocytes and has limited effect on inflammatory nociception.

Several biological activities of the fungal exopolysaccharide (1 → 3)(1 → 6)-ß-d-glucan (botryosphaeran) have been described in the literature, but its effects on inflammation have not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the action of botryosphaeran on experimental mice models of carrageenan-induced acute pleurisy and acute paw edema, and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced persistent paw edema. All botryosphaeran doses tested (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg birth weight [b.w.], orally administered) reduced leukocyte recruitment, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and protein extravasation in the pleural cavity. Botryosphaeran (5 mg/kg b.w.) did not diminish edema and mechanical hyperalgesia in the paw within 4 h; however, cold allodynia was alleviated within the first 2 h. In the persistent paw inflammation model, the effects of daily oral administration of botryosphaeran (5 mg/kg b.w.) were evaluated over 3 and 7 days. The fungal ß-glucan significantly reduced the levels of the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6), and IL-10, in the paw homogenates in both protocols, while paw edema and the levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) only diminished on Day 7. No effect in mechanical hyperalgesia was observed. Oral treatment for 3 or 7 days also decreased the plasma levels of NO, AOPP, TNF-α, and IL-10. On Day 7, the number of leukocytes in the blood was also reduced by this treatment. Importantly, botryosphaeran did not induce inflammation in mice when administered alone over 7 days. This study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential of botryosphaeran in these experimental models, making this fungal ß-glucan a new possibility for complementary treating acute and chronic inflammation.

Advances and weaknesses of the work process of the oral cancer care network in Brazil: A latent class transition analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the provision of oral cancer (OC) care services in the Dental Specialties Centers (Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas-CEO) in Brazil and identify changes over two cycles of external evaluation of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality-PMAQ, in 2014 and 2018. METHOD: This is a nationwide panel ecological study, including 916 CEO. Data from interviews with managers and dentists of the CEO were used, including variables related to training on OC, clinical protocols, biopsies, referral for diagnosis and treatment, and registration of users with OC. We carried out Latent Transition Analysis (LTA) to identify patterns (latent status LS) of service adequacy and work processes' changes between the two assessment cycles. We tested models with three, four, and five LS, selecting the one with the best conceptual interpretability and good model fit parameters. Data from the LS were plotted on choropleth and hotspots maps in Brazil allowing us to identify areas with the better or worse provision of specialized OC services. RESULTS: The model with four LS was chosen. The four LS were named: 1.'Most indicators inadequate for OC care' (the worst); 2. 'Most indicators suitable for OC care' (the best); 3. 'CEO with a poor relation with Primary Health Care (PHC) services'; and 4. 'CEO with a poor relation with tertiary hospital services'. The comparison of the LS transition between the two cycles revealed that 419 (45.7%) CEO remained in the same LS (1→1, 3→4, 2→2); 228 (24.9%) switched to a worse status (2→1, 2→4, 3→1) and 269 (29.4%) switched to a better LS (1→2, 1→4, 3→2). While the majority of the CEO improved, we identified a decline of 17.8% in those who reported performing biopsies and 18.3% in the number of CEO that had hospitals for referring confirmed OC cases. Almost all Brazilian states had CEO that improved the work process. The Southeast and South regions had the highest percentage of CEO with the better work process in both cycles. Hotspots showed areas concentrating improvements in the work process in the Northeast region. However, some hotspots in the North revealed some CEO where the work process deteriorated or remained unsatisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: There are regional inequities in the provision of OC care in CEO. Most services improved their work process or remained stable. However, the biopsies and the referral to hospital care for confirmed cases declined, indicating that CEO need to improve planning and care provision to reduce OC morbimortality.

Fatores associados às internações infantis por condições sensíveis à atenção primária no Brasil: estudo ecológico / Factors associated with hospitalizations for primary care-sensitive conditions in Brazil: an ecological study / Factores asociados a las hospitalizaciones infantiles por afecciones que podrían tratarse en la atención primaria en Brasil: estudio ecológico

RESUMO Objetivo. Identificar a associação da estrutura das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) e do processo de trabalho das equipes de atenção primária com determinantes sociais e taxas de internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (ICSAP) em menores de 5 anos no Brasil. Métodos. Estudo longitudinal ecológico, com dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares e dos três ciclos do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB) (2012, 2014, 2017/2018). Foram analisadas 42 916 UBS. Foi realizada modelagem multinível com angulação fixa e intercepto aleatório. No primeiro nível, foram analisados o desfecho (taxas de ICSAP) e as variáveis explicativas (indicadores estruturais e processuais), agregados por UBS. No segundo nível, foram incluídos determinantes sociais municipais (representados por critério de estratificação que combina o porte do município com indicadores que influenciam a gestão de saúde). Utilizou-se o teste t com correção de Bonferroni para comparar as médias dos indicadores entre as regiões, e a regressão linear multinível para estimar os coeficientes de correlação. Resultados. A taxa de ICSAP em menores de 5 anos foi de 62,78/100 mil habitantes por área estimada de cobertura de UBS. Apresentaram associação direta com o desfecho: participação em um ou mais ciclos do PMAQ-AB; planejamento da equipe; horário especial; dependências para atenção infantil na unidade; e disponibilidade de vacinas. A variável equipamentos, materiais e insumos e a classificação como município de porte pequeno ou médio associaram-se inversamente às ICSAP. Conclusões. As ICSAP em menores de 5 anos podem ser potencialmente reduzidas pela melhoria dos indicadores estruturais e processuais das UBS e dos determinantes sociais municipais.

ABSTRACT Objective. To investigate whether structural aspects of primary care units (PCUs) and the work processes of primary care teams are associated with the rate of hospitalizations for primary care-sensitive conditions (HPCSC) in children younger than 5 years of age in Brazil. Method. For this longitudinal ecological study, secondary data were obtained from the Brazilian Hospital Information System and from three cycles of the National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care (PMAQ-AB) (2012, 2014, 2017/2018). The analysis included 42 916 PCUs. A multilevel random intercept model with fixed slope was used. In the first level, the outcome (HPCSC rates) and explanatory variables (structure and process indicators) aggregated by PCU were analyzed. Social determinants (represented by a stratification criterion combining municipality population and health care management indicators) were entered in the second level. The t test with Bonferroni correction was used to compare indicator means between regions, and multilevel linear regression was used to estimate the correlation coefficients. Results. The HPCSC rate in children younger than 5 years was 62.78/100 thousand population per estimated PCU coverage area. A direct association with the outcome was observed for: participation in one or more PMAQ-AB cycles; team planning; special hours; dedicated pediatric care area; and availability of vaccines. Equipment, materials, supplies, and being a small or medium-size municipality were inversely associated with HPCSC. Conclusions. HPCSC rates in children below 5 years of age may potentially be reduced through improvements in PCU structure and process indicators and in municipal social determinants.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar la asociación de la estructura de las unidades básicas de salud (UBS) y del proceso de trabajo de los equipos de atención primaria con los determinantes sociales y las tasas de hospitalización por afecciones que podrían tratarse en la atención primaria en menores de 5 años en Brasil. Métodos. Estudio longitudinal ecológico, con datos secundarios del Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias y los tres ciclos del Programa Nacional de Mejora del Acceso y de la Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB) (2012, 2014, 2017-2018). Se analizaron 42.916 UBS. Se aplicó un modelo multinivel con pendiente fija e intercepción aleatoria. En el primer nivel, se analizaron el desenlace (tasas de hospitalización por afecciones que podrían tratarse en los servicios de atención primaria) y las variables explicativas (indicadores estructurales y procedimentales) consolidados por UBS. En el segundo nivel, se incluyeron determinantes sociales municipales (representados por un criterio de estratificación que combina el tamaño del municipio con indicadores que influyen en la gestión de salud). Se utilizó la prueba de la t con la corrección de Bonferroni para comparar las medias de los indicadores entre las regiones y la regresión lineal multinivel para estimar los coeficientes de correlación. Resultados. La tasa de hospitalización por afecciones que podrían tratarse en los servicios de atención primaria en menores de 5 años fue de 62,78/100 mil habitantes por área estimada de cobertura de UBS. Los siguientes factores presentaron una asociación directa con el desenlace: participación en uno o más ciclos del PMAQ-AB; planificación del equipo; horario especial; dependencias de atención infantil en la unidad; y disponibilidad de vacunas. La variable relativa a equipos, materiales e insumos y la clasificación como municipio pequeño o mediano se asociaron inversamente con las hospitalizaciones por afecciones que podrían tratarse en los servicios de atención primaria. Conclusiones. Las hospitalizaciones de menores de 5 años por afecciones que podrían tratarse en los servicios de atención primaria pueden reducirse mejorando los indicadores estructurales y procedimentales de las UBS y los determinantes sociales municipales.

Análise espacial da qualidade dos serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde na redução da mortalidade infantil / Spatial analysis of the quality of Primary Health Care services in reducing child mortality

Resumo Objetivou-se analisar a correlação da qualidade dos serviços da Atenção Primária na redução da mortalidade infantil, através do geoprocessamento. Um estudo ecológico, de abordagem transversal, em que foram utilizados dados secundários de todos os 5.565 municípios brasileiros para análise da taxa de mortalidade infantil (TMI) e causa de óbito infantil. Os dados da TMI foram obtidos no Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade. Para a análise espacial, incluímos 5.011 municípios. As análises de clusterização ocorreram no software GEODA e as análises de regressão espacial no ARCGIS 10.5. No Brasil houve uma redução de 45,07% da TMI entre os anos 2000 e 2015. A maior redução ocorreu na região nordeste do país, apesar de ainda ser a região com maior número na TMI. Dos 749 municípios analisados no cluster diferencial para óbito infantil, 153 apresentaram alta TMI. As áreas com maior expansão de alta TMI foram encontradas nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. No Brasil, a TMI mostrou-se inversamente associada à acessibilidade aos serviços de alta complexidade, ao estrato da gestão em saúde e porte populacional, à referência para o parto, à taxa de nascidos vivos, à renda per capita e à taxa de desemprego. Verificou-se uma crescente redução da TMI entre o período de 2000 a 2015.

Abstract This study sought to analyze the correlation of the quality of Primary Health Care services in reducing child mortality, via geoprocessing. It involved an ecological study, with a cross-sectional approach, in which secondary data from all 5,565 Brazilian municipalities were used to analyze the infant mortality rate (IMR) and cause of infant death. The data related to IMR was obtained from the Mortality Information System. For the spatial analysis, 5,011 municipalities were included. The clustering analyses were performed using GEODA software and the spatial regression analyses were performed using ARCGIS 10.5 software. In Brazil, there was a 45.07% reduction in IMR between the years 2000 and 2015. The greatest reduction occurred in the northeastern region of the country, although it is still the region with the highest IMR. Of the 749 municipalities analyzed in the differential cluster for infant death, 153 had high IMR. The areas with the greatest increase in IMR were found in the North and Northeast regions. In Brazil, IMR proved to be inversely associated with the accessibility to high complexity services, health management strata and population size, reference for childbirth, live birth rate, per capita income and unemployment rate. A progressive reduction in IMR was recorded between 2000 and 2015.

Vaccination services and incomplete vaccine coverage for children: a comparative spatial analysis of the BRISA cohorts, São Luís (Maranhão State) and Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo State), Brazil / Serviços de vacinação e cobertura vacinal incompleta em crianças: uma análise espacial comparativa das coortes BRISA, São Luís (Maranhão) e Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Brasil / Servicios de vacunación y niños con su cobertura de vacunación incompleta: un análisis comparativo espacial de las cohortes BRISA, São Luís (Maranhão) y Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Brasil

We analyzed the spatial relation between incomplete vaccine coverage for children and the distance from vaccination services. This was a cross-sectional study of children from 13 to 35 months of age from the cities of São Luís (Maranhão State) and Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo State), Brazil, and from basic health units (UBS, in Portuguese). The sample consisted of 2,744 children from São Luís and 3,325 from Ribeirão Preto. Data about incomplete vaccine coverage for children were obtained from the BRISA birth cohorts. Data about the quality of UBS vaccination services were obtained from the first cycle of the Brazilian National Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ-AB, in Portuguese). For the spatial analysis, we determined the distance between the residence of the children (with and without a complete vaccine calendar) and the vaccination services of the UBS (classified according to number of structural items). Incomplete vaccine coverage was more pronounced in São Luís, with greater percentages for human rotavirus and triple viral vaccines, with the latter being the least available. In Ribeirão Preto, incomplete BCG vaccine coverage was more pronounced, with the tetravalent vaccine being the least available. Children from the two cities showed similarities: most of them had adult mothers with 9 to 11 years of schooling and did not reside with siblings in the household. They also showed differences: in São Luís, most mothers belonged to the economic class C, while in Ribeirão Preto they belong to the A and B classes. In the two cities with different socioeconomic conditions, complete vaccine coverage seemed not to depend on the location or quality of the vaccination service. Although São Luís showed a better structure of the services, incomplete vaccine coverage was higher compared to Ribeirão Preto.

Analisamos a relação espacial entre cobertura vacinal incompleta em crianças e a distância da residência até os serviços de vacinação. Este foi um estudo transversal de crianças entre 13 e 35 meses de idade nas cidades de São Luís (Maranhão) e Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Brasil, e das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS). A amostra consistia em 2.744 crianças de São Luís e 3.325 de Ribeirão Preto. Os dados sobre a cobertura vacinal incompleta foram obtidos das coortes de nascimento BRISA. Os dados sobre a qualidade dos serviços de vacinação das UBS foram obtidos do primeiro ciclo do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB). Para a análise espacial, determinamos a distância da residência das crianças (com e sem calendário vacinal completo) até os serviços de vacinação da UBS (classificados de acordo com o número de itens estruturais). A cobertura vacinal incompleta era mais marcante em São Luís, com percentuais mais altos para as vacinas do rotavírus humano e tríplice viral, sendo que esta era menos disponível. Em Ribeirão Preto, a cobertura vacinal incompleta para BCG era mais evidente, enquanto a vacina tetravalente era a menos disponível. As crianças das duas cidades mostraram semelhanças: a maioria tinha mães adultas com 9 a 11 anos de escolaridade e não residia com irmãos no domicílio. Também mostravam diferenças: em São Luís, a maioria das mães pertencia à classe econômica C, enquanto as mães em Ribeirão Preto pertenciam mais às classes A e B. Nas duas cidades, com condições socioeconômicas diferentes, a cobertura vacinal completa parecia não depender da localização ou da qualidade do serviço de vacinação. Embora São Luís tenha demonstrado melhor estrutura dos serviços, a cobertura vacinal incompleta foi mais alta em São Luís quando comparada à de Ribeirão Preto.

Analizamos la relación espacial entre los niños con una cobertura de vacunación incompleta y la distancia que los separa de los servicios de vacunación. Se trata de un estudio transversal con niños desde los 13 a los 35 meses de edad en las ciudades de São Luís (Maranhão) y Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Brasil, y en unidades básicas de salud (UBS por sus siglas en portugués). La muestra consistió en 2.744 niños de São Luís y 3.325 de Ribeirão Preto. Los datos sobre la cobertura de vacunación incompleta de los niños proceden de las cohortes de nacimiento BRISA. Los datos sobre la calidad de los servicios de vacunación en los servicios UBS se obtuvieron del 1er ciclo del Programa Nacional de Mejoría de Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB). Para el análisis espacial, determinamos la distancia entre la residencia de los niños (con y sin un calendario de vacunas completo) y los servicios de vacunación de las UBS (clasificados según el número de ítems estructurales). Se destacó una cobertura incompleta de vacunación en São Luís, con porcentajes de vacunas contra rotavirus humano y triple vírica, siendo esta última la menos disponible. En Ribeirão Preto, la cobertura incompleta de la vacuna BCG fue la más destacable y la vacuna tetravalente fue la menos disponible. Los niños de las dos ciudades mostraron similitudes: la mayoría de ellos tenían madres adultas con una escolaridad que oscilaba entre los 9 y los 11 años de edad y no residían con hermanos en el hogar. Asimismo, mostraron también diferencias: en São Luís, la mayoría de las madres pertenecían a la clase económica C, mientras que en Ribeirão Preto pertenecían las clases A y B. En las dos ciudades con condiciones diferentes socioeconómicas, la cobertura completa de vacunación parecía no depender de la localización o la calidad del servicio de vacunación. Sin embargo, São Luís mostró una mejor estructura de los servicios, aunque la cobertura incompleta de vacunación fue más alta comparada con Ribeirão Preto.

Genetic traceability of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from primiparous dairy cows mastitis, humans and environment in the Northeast region of Brazil / Rastreabilidade genética de cepas de Staphylococcus aureus isoladas de mastite de vacas primíparas, ordenhadores e ambiente de ordenha na região Nordeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to investigate the genotypic relatedness of 18 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from intramammary infections in primiparous cows and extramammary sites on five dairy herds by rep-PCR using RW3A primers, and by PFGE using the endonuclease SmaI. The isolates were also evaluated in vitro for the susceptibility against beta-lactam antimicrobials drugs (penicillin and oxacillin), considering that beta-lactams are frequently used for treating staphylococcal intrammamary infections. The rep-PCR typing was highly discriminatory (D value= 0.9804) and a total of 15 patterns were detected. The PFGE method was also highly discriminatory (D value= 0.9667) and a total of 13 patterns were observed. A total of 15 out of 18 (83%) isolates were resistant to penicillin and one out of 18 (6%) to oxacillin. In conclusion, these findings confirmed the occurrence of a high genetic diversity of S. aureus strains at the herds and the presence of clonally-related strains only at the same herd, emphasizing a variety of genotypic profiles among the isolates.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se com este estudo investigar a correlação genética de 18 cepas de Staphylococcus aureus isoladas de infecções intramamárias em vacas primíparas e de locais extramamários em cinco propriedades leiteiras através das técnicas de PCR por sequências palindrômicas extragênicas repetitivas (rep-PCR), usando iniciadores RW3A, e de eletroforese em gel de campo pulsado (PFGE), usando a endonuclease SmaI. Os isolados também foram avaliados in vitro quanto à suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos beta-lactâmicos (penicilina e oxacilina). A tipagem por rep-PCR foi altamente discriminatória (valor D = 0,9804) e um total de 15 padrões foram detectados. Os isolados de S. aureus foram agrupados em três grupos diferentes (A a C), com 80% de similaridade. A técnica de PFGE também foi altamente discriminatória (valor D = 0,9667) e um total de 13 padrões foi observado. A análise do dendrograma com um coeficiente de similaridade de 80% gerou dois grupos diferentes (A e B). Além disso, cepas clonais isoladas do leite foram identificadas na mesma propriedade pelos dois métodos de tipificação e, apesar da presença de cepas dominantes, nossos resultados sugerem uma alta diversidade genética dentre as cepas de S. aureus analisadas. Um total de 15, dos 18 (83%) isolados, eram resistentes à penicilina e um dos 18 (6%) à oxacilina. Assim, esses achados confirmam a ocorrência de uma alta diversidade genética de cepas de S. aureus nas propriedades e a presença de cepas clonalmente relacionadas apenas na mesma propriedade, enfatizando uma variedade de perfis genotípicos entre os isolados.

Estrutura e processo de trabalho referente ao cuidado à criança na Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil: estudo ecológico com dados do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica 2012-2018 / Estructura y proceso de trabajo relacionado con el cuidado infantil en Atención Primaria de Salud en Brasil: estudio ecológico con datos del Programa de Mejora del Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica 2012-2018 / Structure and work process regarding child care in Primary Health Care in Brazil: an ecological study with data from the Program for Primary Health Care Access and Quality Improvement 2012-2018

Objetivo: Analisar a estrutura das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) e o processo de trabalho das equipes de atenção básica em saúde no cuidado à criança no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo ecológico com dados dos três ciclos do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica 2012-2018, por Unidade da Federação e suas macrorregiões. Foram analisados sete indicadores estruturais e 13 processuais. Utilizou-se o teste t de Student para comparar as médias dos indicadores entre as macrorregiões nacionais. Resultados: Participaram dos três ciclos do programa 85.845 equipes, agrupadas em 68.320 UBS. No último ciclo avaliativo (2017/2018), apresentaram maiores médias percentuais de adequação entre os indicadores estruturais: funcionamento da unidade (99%), equipamentos/materiais (82%), disponibilidade de vacinas (74%) e dispensação de medicamentos (70%). População descoberta (68%) e agendamento para especialistas (52%) corresponderam aos menores percentuais de adequação dos indicadores processuais. Conclusão: Os indicadores de processo apresentaram melhores adequações que os indicadores estruturais.

Objetivo: Analizar la estructura de las unidades básicas de salud (UBS) y el proceso de trabajo de los equipos de atención primaria en el cuidado infantil en Brasil. Métodos: Estudio ecológico con datos de los tres ciclos del Programa de Mejora del Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica 2012-2018, por unidad federativa y regiones. Se analizaron siete indicadores estructurales y trece procedimentales. La prueba t de Student se utilizó para comparar medias de los indicadores entre los macrorregiones. Resultados: Participaron 85.845 equipos de los tres ciclos del programa, agrupados en 68.320 UBS. En el último ciclo (2017/2018), mostraron mayores porcentajes de adecuación entre los indicadores estructurales: funcionamiento de la unidad (99%), equipos/materiales (82%), vacunas (74%) y dispensación de medicamentos (70%). Población sin cobertura (68%) y programación para especialistas (52%) correspondieron a los porcentajes más bajos de adecuación de los indicadores procedimentales. Conclusión: Los indicadores del proceso mostraron mejores adaptaciones que los estructurales.

Objective: To assess the structure of primary health care centers (PHCCs) and the work process of primary care teams in child care in Brazil. Methods: This was an ecological study with data from the three cycles of the Program for Primary Health Care Access and Quality Improvement 2012-2018, by states and regions. Seven structural and thirteen procedural indicators were analyzed. Student's t-test was used to compare indicator averages between regions. Results: 85,845 teams participated in the three cycles of the program, grouped into 68,320 PHCCs. In the last evaluation cycle (2017-2018), mean percentage adequacy rates were higher among the structure indicators: health center operation (99%), equipment/materials (82%), vaccine availability (74%) and medication dispensing (70%). Population without coverage (68%) and making appointments with specialists (52%) corresponded to the lowest percentages of adequacy of process indicators. Conclusion: Process indicators had higher levels of adequacy than structure indicators.

Characteristics of primary care and rates of pediatric hospitalizations in Brazil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association among characteristics of primary health care center (PHCC) with hospitalizations for primary care sensitive conditions (PCSC) in Brazil. METHOD In this study, a cross-sectional ecological study was performed. This study analyzed the 27 capitals of Brazil's federative units. Data were aggregated from the following open access databases: National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care, the Hospital Information System of Brazilian Unified Health System and Annual Population Census conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Associations were estimated among characteristics of primary care with the number of three PCSC as the leading causes of hospitalization in children under-5 population in Brazil: asthma, diarrhea, and pneumonia. RESULTS In general, PHCC showed limited structural adequacy (37.3%) for pediatric care in Brazil. The capitals in South and Southeast regions had the best structure whereas the North and Northeast had the worst. Fewer PCSC hospitalizations were significantly associated with PHCC which presented appropriate equipment (RR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99), structural conditions (RR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99), and signage/identification of professionals and facilities (RR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99). Higher PCSC hospitalizations were significantly associated with PHCC with more physicians (RR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.02-1.48), it forms (RR: 1.01, 95%CI: 1.01-1.02), and more medications (RR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.01-1.03) CONCLUSION Infrastructural adequacy of PHCC was associated with less PCSC hospitalizations, while availability medical professional and medications were associated with higher PCSC hospitalizations.

An evaluation of outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury at a referral hospital in Tanzania: evidence from a survival analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in low- and middle-income countries who receive surgery have better outcomes than patients with TBI who do not receive surgery, and whether this differs with severity of injury. METHODS: The authors generated a series of Kaplan-Meier plots and performed multiple Cox proportional hazard models to assess the relationship between TBI surgery and TBI severity. The TBI severity was categorized using admission Glasgow Coma Scale scores: mild (14, 15), moderate (9-13), or severe (3-8). The authors investigated outcomes from admission to hospital day 14. The outcome considered was the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended, categorized as poor outcome (1-4) and good outcome (5-8). The authors used TBI registry data collected from 2013 to 2017 at a regional referral hospital in Tanzania. RESULTS: Of the final 2502 patients, 609 (24%) received surgery and 1893 (76%) did not receive surgery. There were significantly fewer road traffic injuries and more violent causes of injury in those receiving surgery. Those receiving surgery were also more likely to receive care in the ICU, to have a poor outcome, to have a moderate or severe TBI, and to stay in the hospital longer. The hazard ratio for patients with TBI who underwent operation versus those who did not was 0.17 (95% CI 0.06-0.49; p < 0.001) in patients with moderate TBI; 0.2 (95% CI 0.06-0.64; p = 0.01) for those with mild TBI, and 0.47 (95% CI 0.24-0.89; p = 0.02) for those with severe TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Those who received surgery for their TBI had a lower hazard for poor outcome than those who did not. Surgical intervention was associated with the greatest improvement in outcomes for moderate head injuries, followed by mild and severe injuries. The findings suggest a reprioritization of patients with moderate TBI-a drastic change to the traditional practice within low- and middle-income countries in which the most severely injured patients are prioritized for care.

Disparities in surgical care for children across Brazil: Use of geospatial analysis.

BACKGROUND: Health systems for surgical care for children in low- and middle-income countries remain poorly understood. Our goal was to characterize the delivery of surgical care for children across Brazil and to identify associations between surgical resources and childhood mortality. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, ecological study to analyze surgical care for children in the public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde) across Brazil from 2010 to 2015. We collected data from several national databases, and used geospatial analysis (two-step floating catchment, Getis-Ord-Gi analysis, and geographically weighted regression) to explore relationships between infrastructure, workforce, access, procedure rate, under-5 mortality rate (U5MR), and perioperative mortality rate (POMR). RESULTS: A total of 246,769 surgical procedures were performed in 6,007 first level/ district hospitals and 491 referral hospitals across Brazil over the study period. The surgical workforce is distributed unevenly across the country, with 0.13-0.26 pediatric surgeons per 100,000 children in the poorer North, Northeast and Midwest regions, and 0.6-0.68 pediatric surgeons per 100,000 children in the wealthier South and Southeast regions. Hospital infrastructure, procedure rate, and access to care is also unequally distributed across the country, with increased resources in the South and Southeast compared to the Northeast, North, and Midwest. The U5MR varies widely across the country, although procedure-specific POMR is consistent across regions. Increased access to care is associated with lower U5MR across Brazil, and access to surgical care differs by geographic region independent of socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: There are wide disparities in surgical care for children across Brazil, with infrastructure, manpower, and resources distributed unevenly across the country. Access to surgical care is associated with improved U5MR independent of socioeconomic status. To address these disparities, policy should direct the allocation of surgical resources commensurate with local population needs.

A traumatic brain injury prognostic model to support in-hospital triage in a low-income country: a machine learning-based approach.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with a disproportionate burden of this injury on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Limited access to diagnostic technologies and highly skilled providers combined with high patient volumes contributes to poor outcomes in LMICs. Prognostic modeling as a clinical decision support tool, in theory, could optimize the use of existing resources and support timely treatment decisions in LMICs. The objective of this study was to develop a machine learning-based prognostic model using data from Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of a TBI data registry including 3138 patients. The authors tested nine different machine learning techniques to identify the prognostic model with the greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Input data included demographics, vital signs, injury type, and treatment received. The outcome variable was the discharge score on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. RESULTS: The AUC for the prognostic models varied from 66.2% (k-nearest neighbors) to 86.5% (Bayesian generalized linear model). An increasing Glasgow Coma Scale score, increasing pulse oximetry values, and undergoing TBI surgery were predictive of a good recovery, while injuries suffered from a motor vehicle crash and increasing age were predictive of a poor recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed a TBI prognostic model with a substantial level of accuracy in a low-resource setting. Further research is needed to externally validate the model and test the algorithm as a clinical decision support tool.

Characteristics of basic health units and detection of tuberculosis cases

Abstract INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious and contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB emerged in the 21st century as an unsolved public health problem. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the characteristics of basic health units (BHUs) and the number of TB cases detected in Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS An ecological, analytical study was conducted using the municipalities in the state of Maranhão as the unit of analysis. Data regarding the number of detected TB cases was obtained from the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação database, and the characteristics of the BHUs were obtained from the first cycle of data collection for the Program to Improve Access and Quality of Basic Care. The BHU structure was classified as adequate (80%-100%), partially adequate (60%-79%), poorly adequate (40%-59%), or inadequate (<40%) according to the presence of specified items. The number of BHUs per municipality in each adequacy category was estimated. Inflated Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the incidence density ratios (IDRs) and the 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS Municipalities with a higher level of BHU adequacy had a higher number of detected TB cases (IDR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.01-2.60). CONCLUSIONS Better structured health services in primary care may be associated with better detection and/or notification of TB cases.

Geolocation of hospitalizations registered on the Brazilian National Health System's Hospital Information System: a solution based on the R Statistical Software. / Geolocalização de internações cadastradas no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde: uma solução baseada no programa estatístico R.

OBJECTIVE: to describe a solution enabling geolocation of hospital admissions (AIH), processed on the Brazilian National Health System's Hospital Information System. METHODS: in order to spatialize AIHs an R language script was written, based on the microdatasus and CepR packages; the script was applied to identify all AIHs in Goiás state in the year 2015; after downloading and pre-processing the data, the procedure for AIH spatialization was detailed. RESULTS: of the 361,213 AIHs processed, we were able to retrieve 24,220 different ZIP codes (CEPs); from this set of ZIP codes, 23,910 (98.7%) were geolocated; these geolocated ZIP codes enabled spatialization of 97.7% of AIHs processed for the state of Goiás. CONCLUSION: it is possible to spatialize AIHs with a high success rate; the method detailed in this paper opens a new range of possibilities for the design of evaluation studies, formulation of policies and planning of health care actions.

[Dialogues on the work process in oral health in Brazil: an analysis based on the PMAQ-AB survey]. / Diálogos sobre o processo de trabalho em saúde bucal no Brasil: uma análise com base no PMAQ-AB.

The study aimed to: (1) describe the work process in Brazil's oral health teams, based on the essential attributes of primary health care, according to geographic region, type of team, and the municipality's socioeconomic characteristics and (2) verify whether the data in the work process of the oral health teams in the Brazilian National Program to Improve Access and Quality in primary health (PMAQ-AB) were capable of measuring such attributes. This was a nationwide ecological study with data from cycle I of PMAQ-AB. The study included descriptive, exploratory factor, and confirmatory factor analyses (α = 5%). Constructs were analyzed in light of the essential attributes of primary health care (first contact, coordination of care, comprehensiveness, and continuity). The first three constructs and a fourth factor were formed, called dental prosthesis actions. However, the continuity attribute was not formed. The models' goodness-of-fit measures were satisfactory. Factor loads were greater than 0.5, except for the two variables in factor 3. The actions most frequently performed by the oral health teams (> 60%) were in first contact, and the least frequent were those in comprehensiveness, highlighting referrals to specialties (7.6%). There were differences in the work process in oral health teams between regions of the country, type of team, and certification strata (p < 0.05). In conclusion, data on the work process in oral health teams from cycle primary health care in the services' work routine. Further research is recommended on continuity of care. In addition, the oral health teams participating in cycle I of PMAQ-AB should make further progress in actions related to comprehensiveness and coordination of care.

Os objetivos do estudo foram: (1) descrever o processo de trabalho das equipes de saúde bucal (ESB) do Brasil, com base nos atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde, segundo regiões, tipo de equipe e características socioeconômicas dos municípios; e (2) verificar se os dados do processo de trabalho das ESB do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB) foram capazes de aferir tais atributos. Estudo ecológico, de abrangência nacional, com dados do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB. Foram feitas análises descritivas, fatoriais exploratória e confirmatória (α = 5%). Os construtos formados foram analisados à luz dos atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde (primeiro contato, coordenação do cuidado, integralidade e longitudinalidade). Formaram-se os três primeiros construtos e um quarto fator, denominado ações em prótese dentária. Porém, o atributo longitudinalidade não foi conformado. As medidas de ajuste dos modelos foram satisfatórias. As cargas fatoriais foram maiores que 0,5, exceto para duas variáveis do fator 3. As ações mais realizadas pelas ESB (> 60%) foram as do primeiro contato e as menos comuns foram as da integralidade, destacando-se ter referência para especialidades (7,6%). Houve diferenças no processo de trabalho das ESB entre as regiões, tipo de equipe e estrato de certificação (p < 0,05). Conclui-se que os dados de processo de trabalho das ESB do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB foram capazes de discriminar três dos quatro atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde na rotina dos serviços. Sugere-se aprofundar a avaliação da longitudinalidade. Ademais, as ESB participantes do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB precisam avançar nas ações relacionadas à integralidade e coordenação do cuidado.

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: (1) describir el proceso de trabajo de los equipos de salud bucal (ESB) en Brasil, conforme los atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud, según regiones, tipo de equipo y características socioeconómicas de los municipios; además de (2) verificar si los datos del proceso de trabajo de las ESB en el Programa Nacional de Mejora del Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB) fueron capaces de evaluar tales atributos. Es un estudio ecológico, de cobertura nacional, con datos del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios (α = 5%). Los constructos creados se analizaron a la luz de los atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud (primer contacto, coordinación del cuidado, integralidad y longitudinalidad). Se generaron los tres primeros constructos, y un cuarto factor, denominado acciones en prótesis dental. No obstante, el atributo longitudinalidad no se configuró. Las medidas de ajuste de los modelos fueron satisfactorias. Las cargas factoriales fueron mayores que 0,5, excepto en dos variables del factor 3. Las acciones más realizadas por las ESB (> 60%) fueron las de primer contacto, y las menos comunes fueron las de integralidad, destacándose contar con referencias para especialidades (7,6%). Hubo diferencias en el proceso de trabajo de las ESB entre las regiones, tipo de equipo y extracto de certificación (p < 0,05). Se concluye que los datos del proceso de trabajo de las ESB del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB fueron capaces de discriminar tres de los cuatro atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud en la rutina de los servicios. Se sugiere profundizar en la evaluación de la longitudinalidad. Además, las ESB participantes del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB necesitan avanzar en acciones relacionadas con la integralidad y coordinación del cuidado.

Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde: evidências sobre a confiabilidade dos dados / National Registry of Health Facilities: data reliability evidence

Resumo O presente trabalho comparou a confiabilidade de um grupo de dados registrados junto às bases secundárias do Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde. Para cumprir este objetivo, o trabalho foi realizado em 'survey' com 2.777 hospitais. Os hospitais visitados forneceram dados sobre equipamentos, localização geográfica, status de funcionamento e número de leitos. Quanto à concordância entre os hospitais visitados e o cadastro nacional, pode-se destacar que o status de funcionamento estava atualizado em 89% dos casos, o número de leitos em 44%, 82% mantinham o quantitativo de equipamentos correto e 63% apresentaram coordenadas geográficas precisas. Esses achados apontam para uma boa confiabilidade dos dados do Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde, quanto às categorias comparadas, excetuando-se os dados referentes ao número de leitos cadastrados e quanto a existência de alguns equipamentos. Como desdobramento deste trabalho pesa a necessidade de discutir estratégias e incentivos para melhorar a confiabilidade dos dados que ainda apresentam inconsistências, de forma a ampliar a qualidade dos instrumentos utilizados para a formulação de políticas públicas.

Abstract This study compared the reliability of a data group registered in the secondary databases of the National Registry of Health Facilities. A survey was conducted in 2,777 with hospitals to achieve this objective. Visited hospitals provided information on equipment, geographic location, operating status and number of beds. Regarding matching data between visited hospitals and the National Registry, it can be noted that the operating status was updated in 89% of cases, the number of beds in 44%, 82% had the correct amount of equipment and 63% had accurate geographic coordinates. These findings point to a good reliability of information from the National Registry of Health Facilities, regarding the compared categories, excepting for data on the number of registered beds and for some equipment. As a further development of this work, we stress the need to discuss strategies and incentives to improve the reliability of data that still have inconsistencies, in order to improve the instruments used to formulate public policies.

Diálogos sobre o processo de trabalho em saúde bucal no Brasil: uma análise com base no PMAQ-AB / Dialogues on the work process in oral health in Brazil: an analysis based on the PMAQ-AB survey / Discusiones sobre el proceso de trabajo en el ámbito de la salud bucal en Brasil: un análisis basado en el PMAQ-AB

Resumo: Os objetivos do estudo foram: (1) descrever o processo de trabalho das equipes de saúde bucal (ESB) do Brasil, com base nos atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde, segundo regiões, tipo de equipe e características socioeconômicas dos municípios; e (2) verificar se os dados do processo de trabalho das ESB do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB) foram capazes de aferir tais atributos. Estudo ecológico, de abrangência nacional, com dados do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB. Foram feitas análises descritivas, fatoriais exploratória e confirmatória (α = 5%). Os construtos formados foram analisados à luz dos atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde (primeiro contato, coordenação do cuidado, integralidade e longitudinalidade). Formaram-se os três primeiros construtos e um quarto fator, denominado ações em prótese dentária. Porém, o atributo longitudinalidade não foi conformado. As medidas de ajuste dos modelos foram satisfatórias. As cargas fatoriais foram maiores que 0,5, exceto para duas variáveis do fator 3. As ações mais realizadas pelas ESB (> 60%) foram as do primeiro contato e as menos comuns foram as da integralidade, destacando-se ter referência para especialidades (7,6%). Houve diferenças no processo de trabalho das ESB entre as regiões, tipo de equipe e estrato de certificação (p < 0,05). Conclui-se que os dados de processo de trabalho das ESB do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB foram capazes de discriminar três dos quatro atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde na rotina dos serviços. Sugere-se aprofundar a avaliação da longitudinalidade. Ademais, as ESB participantes do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB precisam avançar nas ações relacionadas à integralidade e coordenação do cuidado.

Abstract: The study aimed to: (1) describe the work process in Brazil's oral health teams, based on the essential attributes of primary health care, according to geographic region, type of team, and the municipality's socioeconomic characteristics and (2) verify whether the data in the work process of the oral health teams in the Brazilian National Program to Improve Access and Quality in primary health (PMAQ-AB) were capable of measuring such attributes. This was a nationwide ecological study with data from cycle I of PMAQ-AB. The study included descriptive, exploratory factor, and confirmatory factor analyses (α = 5%). Constructs were analyzed in light of the essential attributes of primary health care (first contact, coordination of care, comprehensiveness, and continuity). The first three constructs and a fourth factor were formed, called dental prosthesis actions. However, the continuity attribute was not formed. The models' goodness-of-fit measures were satisfactory. Factor loads were greater than 0.5, except for the two variables in factor 3. The actions most frequently performed by the oral health teams (> 60%) were in first contact, and the least frequent were those in comprehensiveness, highlighting referrals to specialties (7.6%). There were differences in the work process in oral health teams between regions of the country, type of team, and certification strata (p < 0.05). In conclusion, data on the work process in oral health teams from cycle primary health care in the services' work routine. Further research is recommended on continuity of care. In addition, the oral health teams participating in cycle I of PMAQ-AB should make further progress in actions related to comprehensiveness and coordination of care.

Resumen: Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: (1) describir el proceso de trabajo de los equipos de salud bucal (ESB) en Brasil, conforme los atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud, según regiones, tipo de equipo y características socioeconómicas de los municipios; además de (2) verificar si los datos del proceso de trabajo de las ESB en el Programa Nacional de Mejora del Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB) fueron capaces de evaluar tales atributos. Es un estudio ecológico, de cobertura nacional, con datos del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios (α = 5%). Los constructos creados se analizaron a la luz de los atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud (primer contacto, coordinación del cuidado, integralidad y longitudinalidad). Se generaron los tres primeros constructos, y un cuarto factor, denominado acciones en prótesis dental. No obstante, el atributo longitudinalidad no se configuró. Las medidas de ajuste de los modelos fueron satisfactorias. Las cargas factoriales fueron mayores que 0,5, excepto en dos variables del factor 3. Las acciones más realizadas por las ESB (> 60%) fueron las de primer contacto, y las menos comunes fueron las de integralidad, destacándose contar con referencias para especialidades (7,6%). Hubo diferencias en el proceso de trabajo de las ESB entre las regiones, tipo de equipo y extracto de certificación (p < 0,05). Se concluye que los datos del proceso de trabajo de las ESB del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB fueron capaces de discriminar tres de los cuatro atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud en la rutina de los servicios. Se sugiere profundizar en la evaluación de la longitudinalidad. Además, las ESB participantes del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB necesitan avanzar en acciones relacionadas con la integralidad y coordinación del cuidado.

Programa Mais Médicos: como avaliar o impacto de uma abordagem inovadora para superação de iniquidades em recursos humanos / More Doctors recruitment program: a new approach to overcome inequalities in human resources / Programa Más Médicos: cómo evaluar el impacto de un enfoque innovador para superar las inequidades en recursos humanos

RESUMO Apesar de decorridos 40 anos da divulgação dos princípios de Alma-Ata, ainda persistem desafios para a consolidação da atenção primária à saúde (APS) como eixo norteador dos sistemas de saúde ao redor do globo. Dentre os desafios ainda presentes, merecem destaque as questões associadas à iniquidade na distribuição de recursos humanos em saúde. A experiência do Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) no Brasil é um exemplo de proposta voltada para a abordagem dessa agenda inconclusa de Alma-Ata. Ao modificar aspectos centrais da formação, provimento e alocação de profissionais médicos, o PMM mostrou-se uma saída viável para minimizar os desafios de escassez de profissionais. As avaliações do PMM, embora incipientes, produziram evidências positivas quanto a ampliação do acesso e melhoria da qualidade da APS no Brasil, um país de médio desenvolvimento econômico. Apesar disso, é premente a geração de evidências mais sólidas a respeito do impacto do PMM sobre indicadores de desempenho da APS. O debate apresentado ao longo deste trabalho discute a necessidade de se viabilizar estudos quase-experimentais capazes de mensurar o impacto do PMM junto à saúde da população. O artigo propõe, então, um conjunto de diretrizes que pode se configurar como um modelo aplicável para abordar desafios associados à escassez de profissionais em países de médio e baixo desenvolvimento econômico.

ABSTRACT Despite the 40 years elapsed since the Alma-Ata principles were first launched, a series of challenges still persists for the consolidation of primary health care (PHC) as the backbone of health care systems around the world. Among these challenges, especially noteworthy are the issues associated with the inequality in the allocation of human resources. The experience of the More Doctors Program (Programa Mais Médicos, PMM) in Brazil is an example of initiatives that tackle this inconclusive Alma-Ata agenda. By changing key aspects of physician training, provision, and allocation, PMM was shown to be a feasible alternative to minimize the challenge of physician shortage. Assessments of PMM, even though preliminary, have produced positive evidence showing increase in access and improvement of PHC quality in Brazil, a middle income country. Nevertheless, the generation of more robust evidence regarding the impact of PMM on PHC performance indicators is urgent. The discussion proposed in the present article emphasizes the need to prioritize quasi-experimental studies to measure the impact of PMM on population health. The article thus introduces a set of guidelines that may become a useful model to approach challenges associated with the shortage of health care professionals in low and middle income countries.

RESUMEN A pesar de que han transcurrido 40 años desde la proclamación de los principios de Alma-Ata, aún persisten desafíos para la consolidación de la atención primaria de salud (APS) como columna vertebral de los sistemas de atención de salud en todo el mundo. Entre estos desafíos, se destacan los problemas asociados con la desigualdad en la distribución de recursos humanos. La experiencia del Programa Más Médicos (PMM) en Brasil es un ejemplo de las iniciativas que abordan esta agenda inconclusa de Alma-Ata. Al cambiar aspectos clave de la capacitación, la provisión y la asignación de médicos, el PMM demostró ser una alternativa viable para minimizar el desafío de la escasez de profesionales. Las evaluaciones del PMM, aunque preliminares, han producido evidencias positivas que muestran un aumento en el acceso y mejora de la calidad de la APS en Brasil, un país de ingresos medios. Sin embargo, urge generar evidencia más sólida sobre el impacto del PMM en los indicadores de desempeño de la APS. La discusión propuesta en este trabajo enfatiza la necesidad de priorizar estudios cuasiexperimentales para medir el impacto del PMM en la salud de la población. El artículo propone un conjunto de directrices que pueden convertirse en un modelo útil para abordar los desafíos asociados con la escasez de profesionales de la salud en países de ingresos bajos y medios.

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.