Changes in rural caregivers' health behaviors while supporting someone with cancer: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Caring for someone with cancer has a significant impact on usual routines, including caregivers' ability to maintain their own health and wellbeing. Caregivers living in rural areas face additional challenges in supporting someone with cancer, and little is known about the impact of caregiving on the health behaviors of rural caregivers. Therefore, this study explored how caring for someone with cancer affected rural caregivers' health behaviors. METHODS: Through semi-structured interviews, 20 rural caregivers described changes in their health behaviors while caring for someone with cancer and the factors underlying these changes. Specific prompts were provided for diet, physical activity, alcohol, smoking, sleep, social connection and leisure, and accessing health care when needed. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was used to identify changes in health behaviors and the factors underlying these changes. The factors identified were mapped to the socioecological framework, identifying areas for intervention across multiple levels (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy). RESULTS: Rural caregivers reported both positive and negative changes to their diet, physical activity, alcohol, and smoking. Sleep, social connection and leisure, and accessing health care were negatively impacted since becoming a caregiver. CONCLUSIONS: Designing interventions to address rural caregivers' coping strategies, reduce carer burden and fatigue, improve access to cooking and exercise facilities and social support while away from home, reduce the need to travel for treatment, and increase the financial support available could yield widespread benefits for supporting the health and wellbeing of rural caregivers.

Factors influencing cervical cancer re-screening in a semi-rural health district of Cameroon: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Screening participation at recommended intervals is a crucial component of cervical cancer prevention effectiveness. However, little is known regarding the rate of re-screening in a Sub-Saharan context. This study aimed to estimate the re-screening rate of women in a semi-rural after an initial HPV-based screening and identify factors that influence adherence. METHODS: This cohort study at the Annex Regional Hospital of Dschang enrolled women screened for cervical cancer over 5 years ago and due for re-screening. Women who initially tested HPV-positive (n = 132) and a random sample of HPV-negative women (n = 220) participated in a telephone survey between October 2021 and March 2022 to assess re-screening participation and reasons. Sociodemographic factors were collected, and associations with rescreening were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 352 participants aged under 50 years (mean age 37.4 years) were contacted, and 203 (58.0%) completed the survey. The proportion of women who complied with the screening recommendation was 34.0% (95% CI 27.5% - 40.5%), The weighted re-screening proportion was 28.4%. Age, marital status, education level, type of employment, and place of residence were not associated with the rate of re-screening. Main reported barriers to re-screening were lack of information (39.0%), forgetfulness (39.0%), and impression of being in good health (30.0%). Women who remembered the recommended screening interval were 2 to 3 times more likely to undergo re-screening (aOR (adjusted odds ratio) = 2.3 [1.2-4.4], p = 0.013). Human papilloma virus- positive status at the initial screening was also associated with the re-screening((aOR) (95% CI): 3.4 (1.8-6.5). CONCLUSION: Following an initial Human Papilloma Virus-based screening campaign in the West Region of Cameroon, one third of women adhered to re-screening within the recommended timeframe. Existing screening strategies would benefit from developing better information approaches to reinforce the importance of repeated cervical cancer screening.

Impact of oral onditions on Quality of Life in Peruvian Preschoolers in Rural and Urban Areas / Impacto de las alteraciones bucales en la calidad de vida de preescolares peruanos de zonas rurales y urbanas

Abstract The objective of this study is to determine the impact of oral conditions on the quality of life related to the oral health of preschool children in a rural and urban area of Cusco. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional, from a population of 179 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years, from two public early childhood education institutions, and their respective parents or caregivers in the department of Cusco, Peru. We worked with the entire population that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, seventy-four preschool children were selected for each area, deciding to have the same amount of children per group based on the smallest group. A clinical odonto-stomatological examination was carried out for oral conditions (dental caries, malocclusion, and dental trauma) according to the WHO's criteria and a survey that was used for sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, a validated Peruvian version of the ECOHIS questionnaire was used to obtain data on the impact on quality of life. All the variables of the total and individual scores of the ECOHIS domains were analyzed individually and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine the association between variables. The oral conditions prevalence in preschool children in rural areas referring to dental caries was 100% (dmft index > 6), dental trauma 10.8%, and malocclusions 60.8%; for the urban area dental caries was 93.2% (dmft index > 6), dental trauma 9.5% and malocclusions 36.5%. Of the three oral conditions only the experience of dental caries was related to the OHRQOL of preschoolers in urban and rural areas.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio es determinar el impacto de las alteraciones bucales en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal de niños preescolares de una zona rural y urbana de Cusco. El estudio fue descriptivo y transversal, de una población de 179 preescolares de 3 a 5 años de edad, de dos instituciones públicas de educación inicial, y sus respectivos padres o cuidadores en el departamento de Cusco, Perú. Se trabajó con toda la población que cumplió con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron setenta y cuatro niños preescolares por cada área, decidiendo tener la misma cantidad de niños por grupo en base al grupo más pequeño. Se realizó un examen clínico odonto-estomatológico para detectar alteraciones bucales (caries dental, maloclusión y trauma dental) según los criterios de la OMS y una encuesta que se utilizó para las características sociodemográficas. Además, se utilizó una versión peruana validada del cuestionario ECOHIS para obtener datos sobre el impacto en la calidad de vida. Todas las variables de los puntajes totales e individuales de los dominios ECOHIS fueron analizadas individualmente y se utilizó la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis para determinar la asociación entre variables. La prevalencia de alteraciones bucales en niños preescolares de zonas rurales referida a caries dental fue del 100% (índice dmft > 6), traumatismo dental 10,8% y maloclusiones 60,8%; para la zona urbana la caries dental fue del 93,2% (índice dmft > 6), el traumatismo dental 9,5% y las maloclusiones 36,5%. De las tres alteraciones bucales, sólo la experiencia de caries dental se relacionó con la OHRQOL de los preescolares de las zonas urbana y rural.

A collaborative primary health care model for children and young people in rural Australia: explorations of cross-sectoral leader action.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectoral collaborations are considered necessary to address detrimental health, social, educational and economic outcomes that impact marginalised and disadvantaged populations. There is a strong relationship between the health of children and their educational attainment; good health promotes positive learning. This paper reports cross-sectoral executive and senior management level systems changes required to enable the design of a collaborative primary healthcare service model for children and young people in rural Australia. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Data were collected from executive and senior managers from three organisations (Education, Health and a University Department of Rural Health [n =6]) through individual semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using an inductive, thematic approach. The study draws on Lewin's Model of Change. RESULTS: Three overarching themes were generated from the data: an embedded challenge and experimental solutions; building a shared language and understanding; and the role of relationships and trust. Despite the unique geographical and social context of the study area, strategies emerged from the data on how a solution to an embedded challenge, through design of a primary healthcare model, was established and how the strategies described could be transferred and scaled to other rural and remote communities. CONCLUSION: Contextual differences make each rural and remote area unique. In this study, strategies that are described in the managing change literature were evident. The authors conclude that drawing on strong management of change principles could mean that a service model designed for one remote community might be transferrable to other communities.

A busca por um fazer costurado de possibilidades e desafios: a atuação do sanitarista na atenção primária à saúde do campo / The search for making a summaryof possibilities and challenges: The performance of the sanitarian in Primary Health carein the field / La búsqueda por un hacer sembrado de posibilidades y desafíos: la actuación del prestador sanitario en la atención primaria de salud en el campo

As práticas de trabalho em saúde têm historicamente passado por transformações principalmente a partir dos processos de formação dos profissionais da saúde. O profissional sanitarista, ou bacharel em saúde coletiva vem somando esforços e ocupando espaços de trabalho multiprofissionais fortalecendo a perspectiva transversal do cuidado em saúde em diversos campos de atuação. Objetivo:Este estudo objetiva relatar a experiência de construção do processo de trabalho de um bacharel em Saúde Coletiva na Atenção Primária à Saúde do Campo em meio a pandemia de Covid-19. Metodologia:O período de abrangência foi de 2020 a 2022, ocorrendo no município de Caruaru, Pernambuco. A atuação do bacharel em Saúde Coletiva se deu na perspectiva do Núcleo de Apoio àsaúde da famíliae atenção básica,atuando junto a duas equipes de saúde da família de territórios rurais. Resultados: O processo de trabalho se desenvolveu em três principais frentes, sendo elas: 1) Atenção à saúde com base territorial; 2) Articulação com redes intra e intersetoriais; 3) Reorganização do trabalho multiprofissional na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Conclusões: Sendo assim, é possível constatar que o processo de trabalho do bacharel em Saúde Coletiva está em constante movimento, delimitando as suas possibilidades de atuação, bem como os seus limites quanto a um fazer ainda desconhecido em realidades como a Atenção Primária. O avanço da discussão ocorre em paralelo a formação e inserção destes profissionais nos mais diversos contextos a exemplo da saúde do campo. Nota-se a necessidade de desenvolver novos estudos e experiências formativas de bacharéise saúde coletiva conectados aos territórios do campo, apostando na capilarização e ampliação da presença deste profissional nas realidades singulares do Sistema Único de Saúde (AU).

Health work practices have historically undergone transformations, mainly from the training processes of health professionals. The sanitary professional, or bachelor in public health, has been joining efforts and occupying multidisciplinary workspaces, strengthening the transversal perspective of health care in different fields. Objective:This study aims to report the experience of building the work process of a Bachelor of Public Health in Primary Health Care in the Countryside in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Methodology: The coverage period was from 2020 to 2022, taking place in the municipality of Caruaru, Pernambuco. The performance of the bachelor in Collective Health took place from the perspective of the Support Center for family health and primary care, working with two family health teams from rural territories. Results:The work process was developed on three main fronts, namely: 1) Health care based on territory; 2) Articulation with intra and intersectoral networks; 3) Reorganization of multidisciplinary work in Primary Health Care.Conclusions:Therefore, it is possible to verify that the work process of the bachelor in Collective Health is in constant movement, delimiting their possibilities of action, as well as their limits regarding an action still unknown in realities such as Primary attention The advancement of the discussion occurs in parallel with the training and insertion of these professionals in the most diverse contexts, such as rural health. There is a need to develop new studies and training experiences for bachelors and collective health connected to rural territories, focusing on the capillarization and expansion of the presence of this professional in the unique realities of the Unified Health System (SUS) (AU).

Las prácticas del trabajo en salud históricamente han sufrido transformaciones, principalmente a partir de los procesos de formación de los profesionales de la salud. El profesional sanitario, o licenciado en salud pública, viene sumando esfuerzos y ocupando espacios de trabajo multidisciplinarios, fortaleciendo la perspectiva transversal del cuidado de la salud en diferentes campos. Objetivo: Este estudio tiene como objetivo relatar la experiencia de construcción del proceso de trabajo de un Licenciado en Salud Pública en la Atención Primaria de Salud en el Campo en medio de la pandemia de la Covid-19. Metodología: El período de cobertura fue de 2020 a 2022, ocurriendo en el municipio de Caruaru, Pernambuco. La actuación de la licenciatura en Salud Colectiva se dio en la perspectiva del Centro de Apoyo a la salud de lafamilia y atención primaria, trabajando con dos equipos de salud de la familia de territorios rurales. Resultados: El proceso de trabajo se desarrolló en tres frentes principales, a saber: 1) Atención de la salud con base en el territorio; 2) Articulación con redes intra e intersectoriales; 3) Reorganización del trabajo multidisciplinario en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Conclusiones: Por tanto, es posible constatar que el proceso de trabajo del licenciado en Salud Colectiva está en constante movimiento, delimitando sus posibilidades de actuación, así como sus límites frente a un actuar aún desconocido en realidades como la Atención primaria. El avance de la discusión ocurre en paralelo con la formación e inserción de estos profesionales en los más diversos contextos, como la salud rural. Existe la necesidad de desarrollar nuevos estudios y experiencias de formación para licenciaturas y salud colectiva vinculadas a los territorios rurales, con foco en la capilarización y ampliación de la presencia de ese profesional en las realidades singulares del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) (AU).

Agrotóxicos e adoecimento: visão de mulheres rurais / Pesticides and illness: rural women's view

Objetivo: Compreender como mulheres que vivem e trabalham na agricultura familiar entendem a associação entre uso de agrotóxicos e adoecimento. Metodologia: estudo qualitativo descritivo, realizado com 29 mulheres, em município do sul do Brasil, com dados coletados de janeiro a junho de 2018, através de questionário socioeconômico e entrevista aberta, tratados por meio da análise temática. Resultados: emergiram três unidades temáticas: faz mal, mas não conseguem explicar; causa doenças segundo vivências ou informações advindas de familiares e comunidade; afeta a saúde da população em geral e não só dos trabalhadores rurais. Considerações finais: A diversidade nos entendimentos indica que há oportunidades locais para a discussão do tema por meio da educação em saúde, como estratégia para a promoção da saúde da população rural, a partir de uma perspectiva de gênero. Nesse sentido, deve ser considerada a importância da literacia para a promoção da saúde.(AU)

Objective: To understand how women who live and work in family farming understand the association between pesticide use and illness. Methodology: a descriptive qualitative study, conducted with 29 women in a municipality in southern Brazil, with data collected from January to June 2018, through a socioeconomic questionnaire and an open interview, treated through thematic analysis. Results: three thematic units emerged: it is bad, but they cannot explain it; it causes diseases according to experiences or information from family members and the community; it affects the health of the population in general and not only of rural workers. Final considerations: The diversity of understandings indicates that there are local opportunities to discuss the topic through health education, as a strategy for promoting the health of the rural population, from a gender perspective. In this sense, the importance of literacy for health promotion should be considered.(AU)

Objetivo: Comprender cómo las mujeres que viven y trabajan en la agricultura familiar entienden la asociación entre el uso de plaguicidas y la enfermedad. Metodología: estudio cualitativo descriptivo, realizado con 29 mujeres, en un municipio del sur de Brasil, con datos recogidos de enero a junio de 2018, a través de un cuestionario socioeconómico y entrevista abierta, tratados a través de análisis temático. Resultados: surgieron tres unidades temáticas: es malo, pero no saben explicarlo; causa enfermedades según experiencias o informaciones de familiares y de la comunidad; afecta la salud de la población en general y no sólo de los trabajadores rurales. Consideraciones finales: La diversidad de comprensiones indica que existen oportunidades locales para discutir el tema a través de la educación en salud, como estrategia de promoción de la salud de la población rural, desde una perspectiva de género. En este sentido, se debe considerar la importancia de la alfabetización para la promoción de la salud.(AU)

[Teleophthalmology-based diabetic retinopathy screening in a rural health basic area]. / Cribado de la retinopatía diabética mediante teleoftalmología en una zona básica de salud rural.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in a rural health basic area, and to establish the type, the severity degree and the relationship with sex and with another cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional or prevalence descriptive study. LOCATION: Rural health basic area in Spain. Primary health care level. PARTICIPANTS: 500 patients over 18 years old with diabetes. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Study of the retina through retinography under mydriasis, according to the Joslin Vision Network protocol, with the incorporation of a diagnostic reading center. Correlation of the existence and severity of the retinopathy with the cardiovascular risk factors -smoking, hypertension and hyperlipidemia- and the characteristics of the diabetes -type, evolution time, treatment, metabolic control and renal function-. RESULTS: The findings showed a 16.4% prevalence, with no significant differences between both sexes. The variables smoking and high blood pressure were related to the existence of retinopathy, and the variable years of diabetes evolution was correlated to both the existence and the severity of the retinopathy. In the study, 9.6% of the affected people were preferentially referred to the ophthalmologists because of sight-threatening retinopathy, and 6.8% of the people studied were referred due to other ophthalmological pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to do the ophthalmological follow-up of 82% of the population with diabetes in primary health care, involving its professionals and team-working with the ophthalmologists. It is paramount to consider diabetic retinopathy within the global context of the person with diabetes, relating diabetic retinopathy with the other microvascular complications and cardiovascular diseases.

Challenges and strategies to improve the provision of end-of-life cancer care in rural and regional communities: Perspectives from Australian rural health professionals.

OBJECTIVE: To identify challenges and strategies to improve the provision of end-of-life (EOL) cancer care in an underserved rural and regional Australian local health district (LHD) from the perspective of general practitioners (GPs) and specialist clinicians while exploring the benefits of adopting a generalist health care approach to delivering EOL care in rural and regional communities. SETTING: Rural and regional Australia. PARTICIPANTS: General practitioners and palliative care and cancer care specialists (medical and nursing) involved in the provision of EOL care to people with advanced cancer in the rural and regional areas of an Australian LHD. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study involving 22 participants in four face-to-face and online focus groups. Thematic analysis of the transcripts identified key issues affecting EOL care for people with advanced cancer in rural and regional areas of the LHD. RESULTS: Four themes including geographical remoteness, system structures, medical management and expertise and training emerged from the focus groups. Key barriers to effective EOL care included insufficient remuneration for GPs and other clinicians (especially home visits), resource limitations, limited community awareness of palliative care and lack of confidence and training of clinicians. Continuity of care was identified as an important facilitator to effective EOL care. Participants suggested greater Medicare rebates for palliative care and home visits, adequate equipment and resources, technology-enabled clinician training and greater rural-based training for specialist PC clinicians may improve the provision of EOL care in regional and rural communities. CONCLUSIONS: Rural-based clinicians delivering EOL cancer care appear to be disproportionately affected by geographical challenges including resource and funding limitations. A multi-pronged strategy aimed at greater interdisciplinary collaboration, community awareness and greater resourcing and funding could help to improve the provision of EOL care in underserved rural and remote communities of Australia.

Rural versus Urban Residence in Adulthood and Incident Cognitive Impairment.

INTRODUCTION: Rural versus urban living is a social determinant of cognitive health. We estimated the association of rural versus urban residence in the USA with incident cognitive impairment (ICI) and assessed effect heterogeneity by sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors. METHODS: The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study (REGARDS) is a population-based prospective observational cohort of 30,239 adults, 57% female, 36% Black, aged 45+ years, sampled from 48 contiguous states in the USA in 2003-2007. We analyzed 20,878 participants who at baseline were cognitively intact with no history of stroke and had ICI assessed on average 9.4 years later. We classified participants' home addresses at baseline as urban (population ≥50,000), large rural (10,000-49,999), or small rural (≤9,999) by Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes. We defined ICI as ≥1.5 SD below the mean on at least 2 of the following tests: word list learning, word list delayed recall, and animal naming. RESULTS: Participants' home addresses were 79.8% urban, 11.7% large rural, and 8.5% small rural. ICI occurred in 1,658 participants (7.9%). Small rural residents had higher odds of ICI than urban residents, adjusted for age, sex, race, region, and education (OR = 1.34 [95% CI: 1.10, 1.64]), and after further adjustment for income, health behaviors, and clinical characteristics (OR = 1.24 [95% CI: 1.02, 1.53]). Former smoking versus never, nondrinking versus light alcohol drinking, no exercise versus ≥4 times/week, CES-D depressive symptom score of 2 versus 0, and fair versus excellent self-rated health had stronger associations with ICI in small rural areas than in urban areas. For example, in urban areas, lack of exercise was not associated with ICI (OR = 0.90 [95% CI: 0.77, 1.06]); however, lack of exercise combined with small rural residence was associated with 1.45 times the odds of ICI compared with ≥4 bouts of exercise/week in urban areas (95% CI: 1.03, 2.03). Overall, large rural residence was not associated with ICI; however, black race, hypertension, and depressive symptoms had somewhat weaker associations with ICI, and heavy alcohol drinking a stronger association with ICI, in large rural areas than in urban areas. CONCLUSION: Small rural residence was associated with ICI among USA adults. Further research to better understand why rural residents are at higher risk for developing ICI and mechanisms to ameliorate that risk will support efforts to advance rural public health.

The COVID-19 pandemic impact on independent and provider-based rural health clinics' operations and cancer prevention and screening provision in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer care, but it is unknown how the pandemic has affected care in Medicare-certified rural health clinics (RHCs) where cancer prevention and screening services are critical for their communities. This study examined how the provision of these cancer services changed pre- and peri-pandemic overall and by RHC type (independent and provider-based). METHODS: We administered a cross-sectional survey to a stratified random sample of RHCs to assess clinic characteristics, pandemic stressors, and the provision of cancer prevention and control services among RHCs pre- and peri-pandemic. We used McNemar's test and Wilcoxon signed rank tests to assess differences in the provision of cancer prevention and screening services pre- and peri-pandemic by RHC type. RESULTS: Of the 153 responding RHCs (response rate of 8%), 93 (60.8%) were provider-based and 60 (39.2%) were independent. Both RHC types were similar in their experience of pandemic stressors, though a higher proportion of independent RHCs reported financial concerns and challenges obtaining personal protective equipment. Both types of RHCs provided fewer cancer prevention and screening services peri-pandemic-5.8 to 4.2 for provider-based and 5.3 to 3.5 for independent (P<.05 for both). Across lung, cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer-related services, the proportion of both RHC groups providing services dropped peri-pandemic. DISCUSSION: The pandemic's impact on independent and provider-based RHCs and their patients was considerable. Going forward, greater resources should be targeted to RHCs-particularly independent RHCs-to ensure their ability to initiate and sustain evidence-based prevention and screening services.

Understanding Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Reform-Implications for Rural Surgical Care.

The Viewpoint describes the Community Transformation Track of the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model for improving financial stability at rural hospitals and its implications for rural surgical care.

Positive impact of training rural health workers in identification and prevention of acute rheumatic fever in eastern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is mainly clinical. Delayed or missed diagnosis and failure to administer appropriate and timely treatment of ARF leads to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which could necessitate expensive treatments such as open-heart surgery. Implementation of preventative guidelines depends on availability of trained healthcare workers. As part of the routine support supervision, the Uganda Heart Institute sent out a team to rural eastern Uganda to evaluate health workers' knowledge level regarding management of ARF. METHODS: Health workers from selected health facilities in Tororo district, eastern Uganda, were assessed for their knowledge on the clinical features and role of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) in the treatment and prevention of ARF recurrence. Using the RHD Action Needs assessment tool, we generated and administered a pre-test, then conducted training and re-administered a post-test. Eight months later, health workers were again assessed for knowledge retention and change in practices. Statistical analysis was done using Stata version 15. RESULTS: During the initial phase, 34 of the 109 (31%) health workers passed the pre-test, indicating familiarity with clinical features of ARF. The level of knowledge of BPG use in ARF was very poor in all the health units [25/109 (22.6%)] but improved after training to 80%, as shown by the chi-squared test ( χ2 = 0.000). However, retention of this knowledge waned after eight months and was not significantly different compared to pre-training (χ2 ≥ 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: A critical knowledge gap is evident among health workers, both in awareness and treatment of ARF, and calls for repetitive training as a priority strategy in prevention.

Incidence and Prevalence of Cough in a Rural Health System: A 20-Year Study.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the cough population is critical to addressing clinical needs and gaps in best practice. We sought to characterize and stratify cough patients with the hypothesis that there are opportunities to improve access to care in our health system and characterize the population. METHODS: Following institutional review board exempt status, a retrospective electronic record review was performed on all patients coded with ICD-9 786.2 or ICD-10 is R05 from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2020 at our health system. Inclusion criteria were one or more visits for cough. The subgroup with more than one visit in each of 2 years was classified as multiple encounters. Patients were characterized by sex, age at first cough encounter, number of cough encounters, smoking status, and insurance status. Results were stratified by year, calculating frequencies, and percentages. RESULTS: There were 302,284 unique patients diagnosed with cough, among 1,764,387 patients seen in our health system, representing an average incidence of 3.0% (2.7%-3.7%) and prevalence of 4.9% (3.1%-5.6%). New single encounter cough patients totaled 179,963, and new multiple encounter cough patients totaled 122,321. Of the 39,828,073 total encounters, there were 469,802 for new or existing cough (1.17%-1.73% annually). The age at initial presentation demonstrated 36.5% seen <10 years old, with an even distribution over the remaining decades of life. The majority were seen for cough once, but 23.8% of group two patients had two or more visits for cough in a year. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate a lower-than-expected incidence and prevalence of cough in our health population, suggesting challenges with access to care when compared to 10% prevalence and 3% of encounters previously documented in the literature. The study also provides a platform to explore the importance of pediatric cough, as well as population health and the longitudinal journey of cough patients in underserved areas. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:1191-1196, 2023.

No caminho da Estratégia da Saúde da Família: itinerário terapêutico das trabalhadoras rurais durante a pandemia de covid-19 / On the way to the Family Health Strategic: therapeutic program for rural workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo Este artigo teve como objetivo descrever o itinerário terapêutico das trabalhadoras rurais durante a pandemia de covid-19. Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo por meio da metodologia da história oral temática. Foram realizadas 15 entrevistas com trabalhadoras rurais pertencentes ao território da Estratégia da Saúde da Família (ESF) de um distrito municipal do interior de Minas Gerais. As narrativas foram submetidas à análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin. Os resultados apontaram duas categorias: "Um caminho a percorrer: desvelando o contexto e a organização da ESF no território"; e "Entre medo e (des)atenção à saúde: visibilidade para as trajetórias das trabalhadoras rurais durante a pandemia de covid-19". Na primeira categoria, revelou-se o itinerário terapêutico das trabalhadoras rurais para a busca de cuidados na ESF do território, bem como a organização do serviço de saúde local. A segunda retratou a intensificação da desatenção à saúde para com as trabalhadoras rurais. Conclui-se que, no itinerário terapêutico das trabalhadoras rurais, a utilização da ESF do território se apresentou como rede preferencial, evidenciando a premência de fortalecimento da APS rural. A pandemia de covid-19 acentuou os dilemas para a busca de cuidados de saúde, revelando a urgência de ações de saúde para esse território.

Abstract This study aimed to describe the therapeutic itinerary of rural female workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a qualitative study using oral history methodology. A total of 15 interviews were carried out with rural female workers belonging to the field of the Family Health Strategy (ESF in Portuguese) of a municipal district in the state of Minas Gerais. The narratives were subjected to content analysis following Bardin. The results pointed to two categories: "A way to go: revealing the context and the organization of ESF in the area;" and "Between fear and (lack of) health assistance: visibility for the trajectories of rural female workers during the COVID-19 pandemic." The first category demonstrated the therapeutic itinerary of rural female workers aiming to access health care in the ESF of their area besides the organization of local health service. The second category illustrated the intensified lack of assistance experienced by rural workers. In conclusion, the use of ESF represented the preferred network in the therapeutic itinerary of rural workers demonstrating the urgent action to strengthen Primary Health Care in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic stressed the challenges concerning the search of health assistance showing the urgency of health actions for this territory.

Modos de vida e organização do trabalho de agentes comunitários de saúde de unidades fluviais na Amazônia / Ways of life and work organization of community health workers of river units in the Amazon, Brazil / Formas de vida y organización del trabajo de los agentes de salud comunitaria de las unidades fluviales en la Amazonía, Brasil

RESUMO: O artigo analisa modos de vida e organização do trabalho de agentes comunitários de saúde que atuam em comunidades rurais atendidas por Unidade Básica de Saúde Fluvial, no município de Manaus. Foram investigados atividades e desafios cotidianos desses profissionais, interação com as famílias atendidas, vínculos com as comunidades e com o ambiente natural. Pesquisa qualitativa exploratória realizada em 17 comunidades rurais ribeirinhas distribuídas na margem esquerda do Rio Negro, ao longo de 190 quilômetros. A coleta de dados em 2021 e 2022 abrangeu entrevista semiestruturada, questões escalonadas de apego ao lugar e observação participante da atuação dos agentes comunitários de saúde. Os resultados mostraram que a qualificação dos agentes atende às principais demandas do trabalho cotidiano em meio rural. O tempo de experiência mostrou-se relevante no cargo, indicando robusto conhecimento da natureza e apego ao lugar/comunidade, estabelecido por vínculos de parentesco, identificação e conhecimento do ambiente natural. Eles reconstroem práticas intersetoriais, priorizando intervenções associadas aos determinantes sociais, micropolíticos e culturais do processo saúde-doença e à participação na vida comunal em domicílios acessados exclusivamente por deslocamento fluvial e espalhados num vasto território. O trabalho administrativo intramuros foi interpretado como desvio de função e afastamento das interações cotidianas nos domicílios gerando insatisfação e desmotivação desses trabalhadores.

ABSTRACT: The article analyzes ways of life and organization of work of community health workers working in rural communities served by Basic Fluvial Health Unit, in the city of Manau, Brazil. Daily activities and challenges of these professionals were investigated, interaction with the families served, links with the communities and with the natural environment. Exploratory qualitative research conducted in 17 rural riverside communities distributed on the left bank of Rio Negro, along 190 kilometers. Data collection in 2021 and 2022 covered semi-structured interviews, staggered issues of attachment to the place and participant observation of the performance of community health workers. The results showed that the qualification of these workers meets the main demands of daily work in rural areas. The time of experience was relevant in the position, indicating robust knowledge of nature and attachment to the place/community, established by kinship links, identification and knowledge of the natural environment. They rebuild intersectoral practices, prioritizing interventions associated with social, micropolitical and cultural determinants of the health-disease process and participation in communal life in households accessed exclusively by river displacement and spread across a vast territory. The intramural administrative work was interpreted as deviation of function and removal of daily interactions in households, generating dissatisfaction and demotivation of these workers.

RESUMEN: El artículo analiza las formas de vida y organización del trabajo de los agentes comunitarios de salud que trabajan en comunidades rurales atendidas por la Unidad Básica de Salud Fluvial, en la ciudad de Manaus, Brasil. Se investigaron las actividades cotidianas y los desafíos de estos profesionales, la interacción con las familias atendidas, los vínculos con las comunidades y con el entorno natural. Investigación cualitativa exploratoria realizada en 17 comunidades ribereñas rurales distribuidas en la margen izquierda del Río Negro, a lo largo de 190 kilómetros. La recolección de datos en 2021 y 2022 abarcó entrevistas semiestructuradas, temas escalonados de apego al lugar y observación participante del desempeño de los agentes comunitarios de salud. Los resultados mostraron que la calificación de los agentes cumple con las principales demandas del trabajo diario en las zonas rurales. El tiempo de experiencia fue relevante en la posición, indicando un sólido conocimiento de la naturaleza y el apego al lugar/comunidad, establecido por vínculos de parentesco, identificación y conocimiento del medio natural. Reconstruyen las prácticas intersectoriales, priorizando las intervenciones asociadas a los determinantes sociales, micropolíticos y culturales del proceso salud-enfermedad y la participación en la vida comunal en los hogares a los que se accede exclusivamente por desplazamiento fluvial y que se extienden por un vasto territorio. El trabajo administrativo intramuros fue interpretado como desviación de función y eliminación de interacciones diarias en los hogares, generando insatisfacción y desmotivación de estos trabajadores.

Quando há água por todos os lados: o acesso ao pré-natal, parto e puerpério em municípios rurais remotos da Amazônia / When there is water everywhere: access to prenatal care, childbirth and puerperium in remote rural municipalities in the Amazon

Introdução: O Brasil é um país com amplas disparidades regionais. As mulheres grávidas brasileiras ainda enfrentam dificuldades de acesso à atenção à saúde. Diante da heterogeneidade territorial do país, as mulheres têm enfrentado dificuldades de acesso à saúde. Objetivo: Analisar o acesso à atenção ao pré-natal, ao parto e ao puerpério em dois municípios com características insulares da região Amazônica, classificados como rurais e remotos. Método: Foi realizado um estudo de caso dos municípios Melgaço (Pará) e Maués (Amazonas) com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa. Foram analisados indicadores dos sistemas de informação de mortalidade (SIM) e do sistema de informação de nascidos vivos (SINASC) do período de 2014-2018; e entrevistas com gestores, profissionais e usuárias do sistema de saúde, realizadas em 2019. Resultados: Identificou-se que os serviços de atenção ao pré-natal, parto e puerpério estão disponíveis em ambos os municípios, todavia estão concentrados nas sedes municipais. Há ainda rotatividade de profissionais e oferta insuficiente de exames e medicamentos. As barreiras de acesso geográfico envolvem longos percursos, grandes custos, transportes precários, com variação sazonal conforme clima, regime dos rios e fluxo das águas. A acessibilidade organizacional é dificultada pelas ações esporádicas da unidade de saúde fluvial, pela insuficiência de transportes sanitários, e pela agenda restritiva de atendimento às gestantes, fatos que impactam em custos financeiros para as usuárias. Dos nascidos vivos de Melgaço e Maués, respectivamente, 13,9% (409) e 5,5% (394) são de gestantes com nenhuma consulta de pré-natal. Quanto à aceitabilidade, foram observadas a expressão de satisfação com o serviço de saúde recebido, as longas distâncias, bem como as dificuldades financeiras, vistas pelas usuárias como inatas ao seu modo de vida. Considerações Finais: Este estudo revela desafios à gestão da saúde no que tange a efetivação do acesso. O local de residência da usuária, se na sede ou no interior do município, condiciona seu nível de acesso conforme o quanto há de água por todos os lados no trajeto até a unidade de saúde mais próxima. Salienta-se a necessidade de ações e estratégias dos gestores com o objetivo de mitigar as barreiras encontradas. E espera-se que esta pesquisa possa subsidiar, por meio de informações, o aperfeiçoamento das políticas de atenção à saúde materno-infantil em áreas rurais remotas.

Introduction: Brazil is a country with large regional disparities. Pregnant Brazilian women still face difficulties accessing health care. Considering the country's territorial heterogeneity, women have been facing difficulties in health care access. Objective: To analyze access to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care in two municipalities with insular characteristics in the Amazon region, both categorized as rural and remote. Methods: We performed a case study in the municipalities of Melgaço (Pará state) and Maués (Amazonas state) with a quantiative and qualitative approach. We analyzed indicators for the mortality information systems (SIM) and the live births information system (SINASC) from 2014-2018; and interviews with administrators, workers, and users of the health care system from 2019. Results: We found that services of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care are available in both municipalities, however they are concentrated in the municipal head office. There is also high professional turnover and insufficient supplies of exams and medication. The geographic barriers of access include long routes, high economic cost, precarious transportation, with seasonal variation according to the climate, river alterations and water flow. Organizational accessibility is made more difficult by the infrequent actions by the river health care unit, the insufficient sanitary transportation, and the restrictive schedules of pregnancy care, which impact the financial cost for users. From the live births in Melgaço and Maués, respectively, 13.9% (409) and 5.5% (394) were from pregnant women who had received no prenatal consultations. With regards to acceptability, we observed the expression of satisfaction with the health care they received, since the long distances and financial difficulties are seen by users as inherent to their way of life. Final Remarks: This study reveals the challenges to health care with regards to access effectivity. The user's place of residence, whether in the city proper or the municipality's countryside, makes it so that her access is conditional to how much water there is around her route to the nearest health care unit. The need for managerial actions and strategies towards mitigating these barriers must be stressed. We hope this research might subsidize, through information, the improvement of policies for mother-infant health care in rural and remote areas.

Menos acidentes, mais mortes. A mecanização agrícola nos canaviais brasileiros e seus reflexos sobre os trabalhadores, no período de 2012 a 2020 / Fewer accidents, more deaths. Agricultural mechanization in Brazilian sugarcane plantations and its effects on workers from 2012 to 2020

Resumo A expansão do uso de máquinas no campo tem promovido alterações no mundo do trabalho canavieiro. Frente a este cenário, lança-se a questão: Como se comportam os acidentes de trabalho e as mortes na realidade mecanizada dos canaviais brasileiros? Predominantemente quantitativa, a investigação que subsidia este texto se vale de dados secundários levantados junto à Plataforma Smartlab e a bases oficiais do governo ligadas ao mercado de trabalho formal (RAIS). Os resultados indicam que o conjunto de atividades agrícolas (manuais e mecanizadas) experimentou queda na incidência de acidentes de trabalho, mas não apresentou redução da taxa de mortes relacionadas ao trabalho. Como resultado, a letalidade foi ampliada no período demonstrando a preservação da superexploração dos trabalhadores. Espera-se que este texto possa lançar luz sobre os desdobramentos gerados pelo processo de mecanização agrícola, no que diz respeito a saúde e segurança dos canavieiros.

Abstract The expansion of the use of machines in the field has promoted changes in the world of sugarcane work. Faced with this scenario, the question arises: How do work accidents and deaths behave in the mechanized reality of Brazilian sugarcane plantations? Predominantly quantitative, the research that supports this text uses secondary data collected from the Smartlab Platform and official government databases, linked to the formal labor market (RAIS). The results indicate that the set of agricultural activities (manual and mechanized) experienced a decrease in the incidence of work accidents, but did not show a reduction in the rate of work-related deaths. As a result, lethality increased in the period, demonstrating the preservation of the overexploitation of workers. This text is expected to shed light on the consequences generated by the agricultural mechanization process regarding the health and safety of sugarcane workers.

Demographics and medical school exposures to rural health influence future practice.

BACKGROUND: One-fifth of the US population lives in rural areas. A record number of rural hospitals have closed, creating increased burdens on regional centers and delays in care. This study aimed to assess medical student perceptions of rural surgery and health care, and to elucidate influential factors for future practice. METHODS: We administered a survey to medical schools throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. The survey was designed and evaluated by a survey content expert and piloted among a group of students. Student and faculty liaisons disseminated the survey between February and May 2021. Descriptive analysis of data was completed using Stata v.16.1 (StataCorp, LLC, College Station, TX). RESULTS: The respondents included 700 medical students; 59.5% were female, with an equal distribution across medical school classes. More than 98% of students believe we "lack" or "are in great need of" rural health care providers, as well as rural surgeons; however, more than half of the students did not agree that the rural workforce is declining. Only 15.7% of students reported an interest in "pursuing a future career in a rural setting." Students with exposure to rural health care, coming from a rural hometown, or having a dependent had a positive association with interest in pursuing rural practice. CONCLUSION: Although students are aware of the lack of rural surgeons and health care providers, there remains an educational deficit. Expanding exposure to rural health care and surgery while in medical school may increase the number of students interested in pursuing a career in a rural setting, potentially shrinking the rural workforce gap.