Fatores associados às internações infantis por condições sensíveis à atenção primária no Brasil: estudo 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 muni- cípio 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 dis- ponibilidade 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 indi- cadores 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 Infor- mation 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 ente- red 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 improve- ments 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 inter- cepción 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 munici- pales (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 pri- maria 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 muni- cipio 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 ser- vicios de atención primaria pueden reducirse mejorando los indicadores estructurales y procedimentales de las UBS y los determinantes sociales municipales.

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.

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.

Progress and challenges in potential access to oral health primary care services in Brazil: A population-based panel study with latent transition analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Compared indicators of potential access to oral health services sought in two cycles of the Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB), verifying whether the program generated changes in access to oral health services. METHODS: Transitional analysis of latent classes was used to analyze two cross-sections of the external evaluation of the PMAQ-AB (Cycle I: 2011-2012 and Cycle II: 2013-2014), identifying completeness classes for a structure and work process related to oral health. Consider three indicators of structure (presence of a dental surgeon, existence of a dental office and operating at minimum hours) and five of the work process (scheduling every day of the week, home visits, basic dental procedures, scheduling for spontaneous demand and continuation of treatment). Choropleth maps and hotspots were made. RESULTS: The proportion of elements that had one or more dentist (CD), dental office and operated at minimum hours varied from 65.56% to 67.13 between the two cycles of the PMAQ-AB. The number of teams that made appointments every day of the week increased 8.7% and those that made home visits varied from 44.51% to 52.88%. The reduction in the number of teams that reported guaranteeing the agenda for accommodating spontaneous demand, varying from 62.41% to 60.11% and in the continuity of treatment, varying from 63.41% to 61.11%. For the structure of health requirements, the predominant completeness profile was "Best completeness" in both cycles, comprising 71.0% of the sets at time 1 and 67.0% at time 2. The proportion of teams with "Best completeness" increased by 89.1%, the one with "Worst completeness" increased by 20%, while those with "Average completeness" decreased by 66.3%. CONCLUSION: We identified positive changes in the indicators of potential access to oral health services, expanding the users' ability to use them. However, some access attributes remain unsatisfactory, with organizational barriers persisting.

Data-driven risk stratification for preterm birth in Brazil: a population-based study to develop of a machine learning risk assessment approach.

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a growing health issue worldwide, currently considered the leading cause of newborn deaths. To address this challenge, the present work aims to develop an algorithm capable of accurately predicting the week of delivery supporting the identification of a PTB in Brazil. Methods: This a population-based study analyzing data from 3,876,666 mothers with live births distributed across the 3,929 Brazilian municipalities. Using indicators comprising delivery characteristics, primary care work processes, and physical infrastructure, and sociodemographic data we applied a machine learning-based approach to estimate the week of delivery at the point of care level. We tested six algorithms: eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Elastic Net, Quantile Ordinal Regression - LASSO, Linear Regression, Ridge Regression and Decision Tree. We used the root-mean-square error (RMSE) as a precision. Findings: All models obtained RMSE indexes close to each other. The lower levels of RMSE were obtained using the eXtreme Gradient Boosting approach which was able to estimate the week of delivery within a 2.09 window 95%IC (2.090-2.097). The five most important variables to predict the week of delivery were: number of previous deliveries through Cesarean-Section, number of prenatal consultations, age of the mother, existence of ultrasound exam available in the care network, and proportion of primary care teams in the municipality registering the oral care consultation. Interpretation: Using simple data describing the prenatal care offered, as well as minimal characteristics of the pregnant, our approach was capable of achieving a relevant predictive performance regarding the week of delivery. Funding: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - Brazil, (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPQ acronym in portuguese) Support of the research project named: Data-Driven Risk Stratification for Preterm Birth in Brazil: Development of a Machine Learning-Based Innovation for Health Care- Grant: OPP1202186.

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.

Characteristics of primary care and rates of pediatric hospitalizations in Brazil.

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.

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.

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.

Characteristics of basic health units and detection of tuberculosis cases.

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.

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

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

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.

Programa Mais Médicos: como avaliar o impacto de uma abordagem inovadora para superação de iniquidades em 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.

[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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Family health strategy and equity in prenatal care: a population based cross-sectional study in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal care coverage is still not universal or adequately provided in many low and middle income countries. One of the main barriers regards the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in prenatal care utilization. In Brazil, prenatal care is supplied for the entire population at the community level as part of the Family Health Strategy (FHS), which is the main source of primary care provided by the public health system. Brazil has some of the greatest income inequalities in the world, and little research has been conducted to investigate prenatal care utilization of FHS across socioeconomic groups. This paper addresses this gap investigating the socioeconomic and regional differences in the utilization of prenatal care supplied by the FHS in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Data comes from a probabilistic household survey carried out in 2012 representative of the population living in urban areas in the state of Minas Gerais. The sample size comprises 1,420 women aged between 13 and 45 years old who had completed a pregnancy with a live born in the last five years prior to the survey. The outcome variables are received prenatal care, number of antenatal visits, late prenatal care, antenatal tests, tetanus immunization and low birthweight. A descriptive analysis and logistic models were estimated for the outcome variables. RESULTS: The coverage of prenatal care is almost universal in catchment urban areas of FHT of Minas Gerais state including both antenatal visits and diagnostic procedures. Due to this high level of coverage, socioeconomic inequalities were not observed. FHS supplied care for around 80% of the women without private insurance and 90% for women belonging to lower socioeconomic classes. Women belonging to lower socioeconomic classes were at least five times more likely to receive antenatal visits and any of the antenatal tests by the FHS compared to those belonging to the highest classes. Moreover, FHS was effective in reducing low birthweight. Women who had prenatal care through FHS were 40% less likely to have a child with low birthweight. CONCLUSION: This paper presents strong evidence that FHS promotes equity in antenatal care in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

[Mobile health: new perspectives for healthcare provision]. / Saúde Móvel: novas perspectivas para a oferta de serviços em saúde.

OBJECTIVE: to review and discuss new perspectives for healthcare provision resulting from the development of mobile health and intelligent wearable devices. METHODS: an unsystematic literature review was conducted to identify complete articles published in the last 15 years with titles highlighting the term 'mHealth' and/or 'Smart wearable'. RESULTS: 467 publications were identified in journals indexed on the CAPES portal, of which 75 were considered for analysis; evidence was then consolidated as to new possibilities arising from the spread of mobile health, grouped into the following categories: 'health status monitoring', 'information transmission and data analysis', and 'diagnosis and therapy'. CONCLUSION: the studies reviewed suggest that healthcare provision will change over the coming years with regard to the categories analyzed. This will require adaptation on the part of health professionals, academics and service users.