Cost-analysis and cost-effectiveness of physical activity interventions in Brazilian primary health care: a randomised feasibility study.

Physical exercise programs have been carried out in primary health care in Brazil and have provided good results in terms of effectiveness, their economic contribution has not been investigated yet. The aim of the study is to verify the feasibility of brief counseling physical activity intervention and to compare its economic cost and cost-effectiveness with supervised physical exercise intervention in primary care. A multi-arm parallel feasibility trial, with equal randomization [1:1:1] was conducted in Basic Health Units in Brazil. 61 participants were randomized in Brief Counseling Intervention (BCI), Supervised Physical Exercise Intervention (SPEI) and Control Group (CG). Interventions lasted one year. The BCI is more economical than the SPEI, costing around 50% less in the economic comparisons (session cost, annual cost and cost per participant annually). At leisure time, the cost to move one person to the physically active category at 12 months is estimated in R$369.00 for BCI and R$426.21 for the SPEI. The Incremental Cost-effectiveness Ratio (ICER) is R$310.32. The BCI is feasible and more economic, however, the cost effective is not that different. Thus, it is strongly recommended that the two interventions be offered at primary care in Brazil.

Cost-analysis and cost-effectiveness of physical activity interventions in Brazilian primary health care: a randomised feasibility study / Análise de custo e custo-efetividade de intervenções de atividade física na atenção primária à saúde no Brasil: um estudo de viabilidade randomizado

Abstract Physical exercise programs have been carried out in primary health care in Brazil and have provided good results in terms of effectiveness, their economic contribution has not been investigated yet. The aim of the study is to verify the feasibility of brief counseling physical activity intervention and to compare its economic cost and cost-effectiveness with supervised physical exercise intervention in primary care. A multi-arm parallel feasibility trial, with equal randomization [1:1:1] was conducted in Basic Health Units in Brazil. 61 participants were randomized in Brief Counseling Intervention (BCI), Supervised Physical Exercise Intervention (SPEI) and Control Group (CG). Interventions lasted one year. The BCI is more economical than the SPEI, costing around 50% less in the economic comparisons (session cost, annual cost and cost per participant annually). At leisure time, the cost to move one person to the physically active category at 12 months is estimated in R$369.00 for BCI and R$426.21 for the SPEI. The Incremental Cost-effectiveness Ratio (ICER) is R$310.32. The BCI is feasible and more economic, however, the cost effective is not that different. Thus, it is strongly recommended that the two interventions be offered at primary care in Brazil.

Resumo Programas de exercício físico são ofertados na atenção primária à saúde no Brasil, apresentando bons resultados na eficácia, sua contribuição econômica ainda não foi investigada. O objetivo do estudo é verificar a viabilidade de uma intervenção breve de aconselhamento para atividade física, e comparar seu custo econômico e custo-efetividade com a intervenção supervisionada de exercício físico na atenção primária. Um estudo de viabilidade de múltiplos braços paralelos, com igual randomização [1:1:1] foi realizado em Unidades Básicas de Saúde no Brasil. 61 participantes foram randomizados em Intervenção Breve de Aconselhamento (BCI), Intervenção Supervisionada de Exercício Físico (SPEI) e Grupo Controle (CG). As intervenções tiveram duração de 1 ano. BCI é mais econômica que SPEI, custando cerca de 50% menos nas comparações econômicas (custo da sessão, custo anual e custo por participante anualmente). No lazer, o custo de mudança de uma pessoa para a categoria fisicamente ativa aos 12 meses é estimado em R$ 369,00 na BCI e R$ 426,21 na SPEI. O Índice de Custo-Efetividade Incremental (ICER) é de R$ 310,32. BCI é viável e mais econômica; no entanto, o custo-benefício não é tão diferente. Assim, é altamente recomendável que as duas intervenções sejam oferecidas.

Trend analysis of leprosy indicators in a hyperendemic Brazilian state, 2001-2015.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temporal trend of leprosy indicators in a hyperendemic state of Brazil, from 2001-2015. METHODS: This is a time-series study of leprosy indicators in the state of Maranhão, Northeastern region of Brazil. The study used data from the Brazilian National System of Reportable Diseases, for the period between 2001 and 2015. The following indicators were evaluated: (i) detection coefficient in the general population; (ii) detection coefficient in people under 15 years old; (iii) rate of cases with grade 2 physical disability in the diagnosis; (iv) rate of examined contacts, and (v) proportion of healing . The Prais-Winsten regression model was used for trend analysis. Analyses were performed for the state and by each health region. RESULTS: 77,697 leprosy cases were analyzed in the general population and 7,599 in individuals under 15 years old. The detection coefficient in the general population ranged from 80.7/100 thousand inhabitants in 2001 to 51.2/100 thousand inhabitants in 2015. The coefficient in the general population presented a downward trend (annual percentage variation [APV] = -2.98; 95%CI -4.15- -1.79). For the population under 15 years old, the rate was 24.9/100 thousand inhabitants in 2001, and 19.9/100 thousand inhabitants in 2015, with downward trend (APV = -3.07; 95%CI -4.95- -1.15). It was observed upward trend in rate of contacts examined (APV = 2.35; 95%CI 0.58-4.15) and rate of cases with grade 2 disability (APV = 2.19; 95%CI 0.23-4.19). Stationary trend was observed in the proportion of healing (APV = -0.10; 95%CI -0.50-0.30). Regional differences were found in the performance of the indicators. CONCLUSIONS: A downward trend for the detection coefficients in the general population and in individuals under 15 years old was found in Maranhão. Despite this result, the rates are still very high, demanding efforts from all spheres of public administration and health professionals to reduce the burden of the disease in the state.

Trend analysis of leprosy indicators in a hyperendemic Brazilian state, 2001-2015 / Análise da tendência dos indicadores da hanseníase em estado brasileiro hiperendêmico, 2001-2015

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the temporal trend of leprosy indicators in a hyperendemic state of Brazil, from 2001-2015. METHODS This is a time-series study of leprosy indicators in the state of Maranhão, Northeastern region of Brazil. The study used data from the Brazilian National System of Reportable Diseases, for the period between 2001 and 2015. The following indicators were evaluated: (i) detection coefficient in the general population; (ii) detection coefficient in people under 15 years old; (iii) rate of cases with grade 2 physical disability in the diagnosis; (iv) rate of examined contacts, and (v) proportion of healing . The Prais-Winsten regression model was used for trend analysis. Analyses were performed for the state and by each health region. RESULTS 77,697 leprosy cases were analyzed in the general population and 7,599 in individuals under 15 years old. The detection coefficient in the general population ranged from 80.7/100 thousand inhabitants in 2001 to 51.2/100 thousand inhabitants in 2015. The coefficient in the general population presented a downward trend (annual percentage variation [APV] = -2.98; 95%CI -4.15- -1.79). For the population under 15 years old, the rate was 24.9/100 thousand inhabitants in 2001, and 19.9/100 thousand inhabitants in 2015, with downward trend (APV = -3.07; 95%CI -4.95- -1.15). It was observed upward trend in rate of contacts examined (APV = 2.35; 95%CI 0.58-4.15) and rate of cases with grade 2 disability (APV = 2.19; 95%CI 0.23-4.19). Stationary trend was observed in the proportion of healing (APV = -0.10; 95%CI -0.50-0.30). Regional differences were found in the performance of the indicators. CONCLUSIONS A downward trend for the detection coefficients in the general population and in individuals under 15 years old was found in Maranhão. Despite this result, the rates are still very high, demanding efforts from all spheres of public administration and health professionals to reduce the burden of the disease in the state.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar a tendência temporal dos indicadores da hanseníase em estado brasileiro hiperendêmico, no período de 2011 a 2015. MÉTODOS Trata-se de um estudo de série temporal dos indicadores de hanseníase no estado do Maranhão, região Nordeste, que utilizou dados do Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação, no período de 2001 a 2015. Foram avaliados os seguintes indicadores: (i) coeficiente de detecção na população em geral; (ii) coeficiente de detecção em menores de 15 anos; (iii) proporção de casos com grau 2 de incapacidade física no diagnóstico; (iv) proporção de contatos examinados e (v) proporção de cura. Para análise da tendência foi utilizado o modelo de regressão de Prais Winsten . As análises foram realizadas para o Estado e por região de saúde. RESULTADOS Foram analisados 77.697 casos de hanseníase na população geral e 7.599 em menores de 15 anos. O coeficiente de detecção na população geral variou de 80,7/100 mil habitantes em 2001 para 51,2/100 mil habitantes em 2015. Verificou-se tendência decrescente do coeficiente na população geral (variação percentual anual [VPA] = -2,98; IC95% -4,15- -1,79). Na população menor de 15 anos, o coeficiente foi de 24,9/100 mil habitantes em 2001 para 19,9/100 mil habitantes em 2015, com tendência decrescente (VPA = -3,07; IC95% -4,95- -1,15). Observou-se tendência crescente na proporção de contatos examinados (VPA = 2,35; IC95%: 0,58-4,15) e na proporção de casos com grau 2 de incapacidade (VPA = 2,19; IC95% 0,23-4,19). Verificou-se tendência estacionária na proporção de cura de hanseníase (VPA = -0,10; IC95% -0,50-0,30). Observaram-se diferenças regionais no desempenho dos indicadores. CONCLUSÕES A tendência dos coeficientes de detecção na população geral e em menores de 15 anos mostrou-se decrescente no Maranhão. Apesar disso, as taxas ainda são muito elevadas, o que exige esforços de todas as esferas de gestão e profissionais da saúde para redução da carga da doença no estado.

Coletas de dados por meio de tablets ­ prático, barato e de fácil programação / Data collection using tablets - practical, low-cost and with easy programming

Objetivou-se relatar uma experiência de utilização de um dispositivo móvel para coleta de dados, além de descrever os procedimentos para sua implementação. A pesquisa foi composta por dois momentos: entrevistas de 2008 realizadas por meio de papel e caneta e em 2014-2015 por meio de dispositivos móveis. O processo de implementação dos questionários nesses dispositivos móveis seguiu três etapas: i) escolha do dispositivo móvel; ii) escolha do aplicativo; iii) desenvolvimento e programação do aplicativo. Quando comparada à coleta utilizando papel e caneta, a utilização de tablet apresentou uma economia monetária de 25,8%, sendo que, para uma coleta futura, essa economia seria de 99,2%, e uma economia de tempo superior à 56,9%. Os resultados apontam que o uso de tablet para coleta de dados em pesquisas epidemiológicas deve ser encorajado, uma vez que apresenta benefícios espaciais, econômicos e temporais quando comparado ao uso do papel e caneta

The study aim was to report an experience of using a mobile device to collect data from an epidemiological survey, and to describe the step-by-step procedures for its implementation. The research consisted of two phases: interviews using paper and pen in 2008 and performed by mobile devices in 2014-2015. The implementation process of the questionnaires on these mobile devices followed three stages: i) choice of mobile device; ii) App choice; iii) development and app programming. When compared to the collection using pen and paper, the use of tablet presented a monetary economy of 25.8%, and, for a future collection, this economy would be 99.2% and a saving of time greater than 56.9%. The results indicate that the tablet use for data collection in epidemiological research should be encouraged, once it presents spatial, economic and temporal benefits when compared to paper and pen use