The effect of the Family Health Strategy on usual source of care in Brazil: data from the 2013 National Health Survey (PNS 2013).

BACKGROUND: A usual source of care (USC) has been conceptualized as having a health provider or place available for patients to consult when sick or in need of medical care. Having a USC is a means to achieve longitudinality of care with Primary Health Care (PHC) providers. Brazil has made enormous progress in PHC and thus provides an important opportunity to investigate USC in a middle-income country context. METHODS: This study uses data from a nationally representative household survey, the 2013 National Health Survey (n = 62,986), to describe the prevalence of having a USC in Brazil and to investigate to what extent the Family Health Strategy (FHS) has contributed to USC prevalence. Analyses include descriptive, bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression. RESULTS: Show very high rates of people reporting any type of USC (74.4 %) and more than one third reporting PHC as their USC. Household enrolment in the FHS was positively associated with having any USC (PR:1.09; 95 % CI: 1.07-1.12) and a stronger association with having PHC as the regular source of care (PR:1.63;95 % CI:1.54-1.73). FHS enrolment was negatively associated with reporting emergency/urgent care facilities as one's USC (PR: 0.67; 95 % CI: 0.59-0.76). The association between the more consolidated FHS with having a USC was strongest in the poorest regions of the country (North, Northeast and Central-West). Having PHC as one's USC showed a positive dose-response relationship with the FHS in all regions, especially in the Central-West. CONCLUSIONS: Our results have important implications for the health care model in Brazil and in other countries, especially those seeking to base their national health systems more strongly on primary health care. The study suggests expanding primary health care can increase the establishment of a USC which can help assure better monitoring of chronic conditions and attention to patient needs.

Impact of homicide and traffic crashes on life expectancy in the largest Latin American country.

BACKGROUND: Brazil and Canada are on opposite poles of the spectrum for life expectancy in America. We identified factors underlying Brazil's lower life expectancy relative to Canada, with emphasis on the role of injury compared with other major causes. METHODS: We computed life expectancy at birth in Brazil and Canada in 2010 and identified the ages and causes of death responsible for the gap between both countries. The main outcome measure was the contribution of homicide and traffic accidents to the gap, compared with other causes of death. RESULTS: Relative to Canada, life expectancy was lower in Brazil by 8.2 years (men) and 5.2 years (women). Injury lowered life expectancy of men in Brazil by 2.2 years, or more than a quarter of the gap, mainly due to homicide and traffic accidents between ages 20 and 64 years. Homicide and traffic accidents contributed more than all circulatory diseases combined. In women, circulatory disease was the most important cause of lower life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: In 2010, homicides and traffic accidents were the principal cause for short life expectancy of men in Brazil. Improving life expectancy in Brazil requires addressing the root causes of inequalities that drive illicit drug trade, violence and accidents.

Effect of a conditional cash transfer programme on childhood mortality: a nationwide analysis of Brazilian municipalities.

BACKGROUND: In the past 15 years, Brazil has undergone notable social and public health changes, including a large reduction in child mortality. The Bolsa Familia Programme (BFP) is a widespread conditional cash transfer programme, launched in 2003, which transfers cash to poor households (maximum income US$70 per person a month) when they comply with conditions related to health and education. Transfers range from $18 to $175 per month, depending on the income and composition of the family. We aimed to assess the effect of the BFP on deaths of children younger than 5 years (under-5), overall and resulting from specific causes associated with poverty: malnutrition, diarrhoea, and lower respiratory infections. METHODS: The study had a mixed ecological design. It covered the period from 2004-09 and included 2853 (of 5565) municipalities with death and livebirth statistics of adequate quality. We used government sources to calculate all-cause under-5 mortality rates and under-5 mortality rates for selected causes. BFP coverage was classified as low (0·0-17·1%), intermediate (17·2-32·0%), high (>32·0%), or consolidated (>32·0% and target population coverage ≥100% for at least 4 years). We did multivariable regression analyses of panel data with fixed-effects negative binomial models, adjusted for relevant social and economic covariates, and for the effect of the largest primary health-care scheme in the country (Family Health Programme). FINDINGS: Under-5 mortality rate, overall and resulting from poverty-related causes, decreased as BFP coverage increased. The rate ratios (RR) for the effect of the BFP on overall under-5 mortality rate were 0·94 (95% CI 0·92-0·96) for intermediate coverage, 0·88 (0·85-0·91) for high coverage, and 0·83 (0·79-0·88) for consolidated coverage. The effect of consolidated BFP coverage was highest on under-5 mortality resulting from malnutrition (RR 0·35; 95% CI 0·24-0·50) and diarrhoea (0·47; 0·37-0·61). INTERPRETATION: A conditional cash transfer programme can greatly contribute to a decrease in childhood mortality overall, and in particular for deaths attributable to poverty-related causes such as malnutrition and diarrhoea, in a large middle-income country such as Brazil. FUNDING: National Institutes of Science and Technology Programme, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Council for Scientific and Technological Development Programme (CNPq), Brazil.

Determinants factors in the recognition of a usual source of care by Brazilian adolescents. / Fatores determinantes no reconhecimento de uma fonte usual de cuidado por adolescentes brasileiros.

The present study aimed to analyze the demographic, socioeconomic, and health factors and risk behaviors associated with the recognition of a Usual Source of Care (USC), according to gender. This work was a cross-sectional study, based on the National Survey of School Health (2015), conducted with 100,464 Brazilian adolescents. Descriptive analyses were performed based on Pearson's χ2, and the prevalence ratio (PR) through logistic regression models in Stata 14 for each type of USC (Primary Health Care (PHC), Private Practice, Hospital, and Emergency), stratified by sex. Recognition of a USC was reported by 55.5% of the adolescents, 58.6% of whom were female. In the multivariate analysis, the variables that present social, economic, and risk behavior inequalities showed positive associations for USC PHC for both genders. For the other types of USC, the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics showed negative associations. The results of this study showed that PHC is the service with the highest recognition among adolescents in conditions of social vulnerability. This reinforces the need to consolidate the PHC in order to favor the health care of adolescents, establishing bonds and improving access to health actions.

Objetivou-se analisar os fatores demográficos, socioeconômicos, de saúde e comportamentos de risco associados ao reconhecimento de uma Fonte Usual de Cuidados (FUC). Estudo transversal, a partir da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (2015) realizado com 100.464 adolescentes brasileiros. Realizou-se análises descritivas através do χ2 de Pearson, e a razão de prevalência (RP) através dos modelos de regressão logística no Stata 14 para cada tipo de FUC (APS, Consultório Particular, Hospital e Emergência), estratificado por sexo. O reconhecimento de uma FUC foi referido por 55,5% dos adolescentes, sendo 58,6% do sexo feminino. Na análise multivariada, as variáveis que apresentam desigualdades sociais, econômicas e de comportamento de risco demonstraram associações positivas para a FUC APS, para ambos os sexos. Para os demais tipos de FUC, as características demográficas e socioeconômicas quando associadas apresentaram associações foram negativas. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que a APS é o serviço com maior reconhecimento dos adolescentes em condições de vulnerabilidade social. O que reforça a necessidade de consolidação da APS a fim de favorecer a atenção à saúde dos adolescentes, no estabelecimento de vínculo e na melhoria do acesso às ações de saúde.

[Usual source of care and Brazilian adolescent access to Primary Health Care (PHC) services]. / Fonte usual de cuidado e o acesso de adolescentes brasileiros a serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS).

We analyzed the association between the recognition of a usual source of care (USC) of Primary Health Care (PHC) and access to services among Brazilian adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey with 68,968 Brazilian adolescents and cluster sampling. Descriptive analyses were carried out with Pearson's χ2 and prevalence ratios (PR) using logistic regression models between access and recognition of USC. It was observed that 74.6% reported access, and this was higher among females (79.3%). In the multivariate analysis, there was a positive association (PR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.24-1.26); and, when stratified by sex, positive associations for both sexes, (PR: 1.30; 95%CI: 1.28-1.31) male and (PR: 1.21; 95%CI: 1.20-1.23) female. The majority of Brazilian adolescents demonstrated PHC as a USC and were able to access services, but lack of access was more frequent among the most economically vulnerable and those with risk behaviors, indicating potentially avoidable inequities with more equitable and longitudinal PHC services.

Objetivou-se analisar a associação entre o reconhecimento de uma fonte usual do cuidado de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) e o acesso aos serviços de APS, entre adolescentes brasileiros. Estudo transversal, a partir da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar realizada com 68.968 adolescentes brasileiros, através de amostragem por conglomerados. Foram realizadas análises descritivas através do χ2 de Pearson e a razão de prevalência (RP) através dos modelos de regressão logística entre acesso aos serviços de APS e o reconhecimento da FUC APS. Dos adolescentes que procuraram os serviços de APS, 74,6% referiram acesso, sendo a maior do sexo feminino (79,3%). Na análise multivariada, observa-se associação positiva (RP: 1,25; IC95%: 1,24-1,26), e na estratificado por sexo, observou-se associações positivas para ambos os sexos, (RP: 1,30; IC95%: 1,28-1,31) masculino e (RP: 1,21; IC95%: 1,20-1,23) feminino. Verifica-se que a maioria dos adolescentes brasileiros que têm a APS como sua FUC conseguiram acessar os serviços de APS, apesar de que, a falta de acesso foram mais frequentes entre os mais vulneráveis economicamente e devido a comportamentos de risco, indicando iniquidades potencialmente evitáveis por meio de uma APS mais efetiva e longitudinal.

Organization of primary health care and surveillance in response to COVID-19 in municipalities in the Northeast of Brazil. / Organização da atenção e vigilância em saúde na atenção primária frente à COVID-19 em municípios do Nordeste brasileiro.

The aim of this study was to analyze the organization and development of primary health care and surveillance, including normative frameworks and the implementation of local health actions. Qualitative descriptive multiple-case study involving three municipalities in the state of Bahia. We conducted 75 interviews and a document analysis. The results were categorized into the following two dimensions: approach to the organization of the pandemic response; and development of care and surveillance actions at local level. Municipality 1 was found to have a well-defined concept of the integration of health and surveillance with a view to organizing team work processes. However, the municipality did not strengthen the technical capacity of health districts to support surveillance actions. In M2 and M3, delays in defining PHC as the entry point for the health system and the prioritization of a central telemonitoring service run by the municipal health surveillance department compounded the fragmentation of actions and meant that PHC services played only a limited role in the pandemic response. Clear policy and technical guidelines and adequate structural conditions are vital to ensure the effective reorganization of work processes and foster the development of permanent arrangements that strengthen intersectoral collaboration.

O estudo objetivou analisar a organização e o desenvolvimento das ações de vigilância e atenção na APS, desde o arcabouço normativo até a execução das ações sanitárias nos territórios de abrangência das equipes de saúde. Estudo exploratório, analítico-descritivo, de natureza qualitativa, de casos múltiplos em três municípios-sede de região de saúde na Bahia. Foram feitas 75 entrevistas e análise documental. Os resultados consideraram a lógica de organização tecnológica e o desenvolvimento das ações de atenção e vigilância em saúde pelas equipes no nível local. No caso do M1, constatou-se uma concepção bem definida sobre a integração das ações, com vistas à organização do processo de trabalho das equipes. Contudo, não houve aumento da capacidade técnica dos distritos sanitários para apoiar as ações de vigilância junto às equipes. Em M2 e M3, a demora na definição da APS como porta de entrada e a priorização de serviço central de telemonitoramento realizado pela vigilância municipal reforçou a fragmentação das ações, revelando um baixo protagonismo da APS nas respostas. Diretrizes políticas e técnicas e condições estruturais mostraram-se fundamentais para a reorganização do trabalho, de modo a fomentar arranjos permanentes que promovam condições e incentivem a colaboração intersetorial.

Characteristics of the community health agent's work in the COVID-19 pandemic in municipalities of Northeastern Brazil. / Características do trabalho do agente comunitário de saúde na pandemia de COVID-19 em municípios do Nordeste brasileiro.

The community health agents (CHAs) comprised the workforce at the forefront of health systems in the fight against COVID-19. The study identified the structural conditions for organizing and characterizing the work of CHAs in three municipalities of northeastern Brazil during the pandemic period. A qualitative study of multiple cases was carried out. Twenty-eight subjects were interviewed, including community agents and municipal managers. Data production assessed the interviews with document analysis. The operational categories that emerged from the data analysis were: structural conditions and characteristics of the activities. The results of this study disclosed the scarcity of the structural conditions in the health units, which during the pandemic made improvised adaptations of the internal spaces. As for the work characteristics, actions permeated by bureaucratic aspects of an administrative nature were evidenced in the health units, resulting in the elimination of their binding function of territorial articulation and community mobilization. Thus, changes in their work can be seen as signs of the fragility of the health system and, especially, of primary health care.

Os agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) compuseram uma força de trabalho na linha de frente dos sistemas de saúde no combate a COVID-19. O trabalho identificou as condições estruturais para organização e caracterização do trabalho dos ACS em três municípios do Nordeste brasileiro no período pandêmico. Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo de casos múltiplos. Foram entrevistados 28 sujeitos entre agentes comunitários e gestores municipais. A produção dos dados cotejou as entrevistas com a análise documental. As categorias operacionais que emergiram da análise dos dados foram: condições estruturais e características das atividades. Os resultados deste estudo revelaram escassez nas condições estruturais das unidades de saúde, que durante a pandemia passou por adaptações improvisadas em seus espaços internos. Quanto às características do trabalho, evidenciaram-se ações permeadas por aspectos burocráticos de cunho administrativo no interior das unidades de saúde, acarretando o esvaziamento de sua função vincular de articulação territorial e mobilização comunitária. Assim, as alterações em seu trabalho podem ser vistas como sinalizadores da fragilização do sistema de saúde e, especialmente, da atenção primária à saúde.

[Heterogeneous governmental responses in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American countries]. / Respostas governamentais heterogêneas no enfrentamento da pandemia da COVID-19 por países da América Latina.

The study analyzes the development of responses to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America. It is a descriptive study based on an analysis of documents, data, and policy measures adopted or announced between March and December 2020 in 14 Latin American countries. The analysis included assessment of the content, tenor, and scope of policy measures for containment and mitigation, health care, and reorganization of health services identified on government websites. In addition, quantitative demographic indicators were included, as well as those related to the epidemiological situation and the result of the Stringency index. In general, the responses of Latin American countries were heterogeneous, albeit multisectoral, characterizing the complexity and diversity of decision making when confronting a pandemic. The conclusion drawn is that there is still a great deal to reflect upon with respect to the consequences of regulatory weaknesses for the achievement of multidimensional demands during health crises.

O estudo analisa a elaboração de respostas para o enfrentamento da pandemia da COVID-19 na América Latina. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com base em análise de documentos, dados e medidas políticas adotadas ou anunciadas entre março e dezembro de 2020 em 14 países latino-americanos. A análise compreendeu a apreciação de teor, conteúdo e abrangência das medidas políticas para contenção e mitigação sanitárias e para a reorganização dos serviços de saúde identificadas nos sites governamentais. Complementarmente, incluiu-se indicadores quantitativos demográficos e relativos à situação epidemiológica e resultado do Sringency index. No geral, as respostas dos países latino-americanos foram heterogêneas, apesar de multisetoriais, caracterizando a complexidade e diversidade decisória frente à pandemia. Conclui-se que ainda há muito a refletir sobre as consequências das fragilidades normativas para a consecução das necessidades multidimensionais durante crises sanitárias.

Estimating the real burden of gestational syphilis in Brazil, 2007-2018: a Bayesian modeling study.

Background: Although several studies have estimated gestational syphilis (GS) incidence in several countries, underreporting correction is rarely considered. This study aimed to estimate the level of under-registration and correct the GS incidence rates in the 557 Brazilian microregions. Methods: Brazilian GS notifications between 2007 and 2018 were obtained from the SINAN-Syphilis system. A cluster analysis was performed to group microregions according to the quality of GS notification. A Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression model was applied to estimate the reporting probabilities among the clusters and to correct the associated incidence rates. Findings: We estimate that 45,196 (90%-HPD: 13,299; 79,310) GS cases were underreported in Brazil from 2007 to 2018, representing a coverage of 87.12% (90%-HPD: 79.40%; 95.83%) of registered cases, where HPD stands for the Bayesian highest posterior density credible interval. Underreporting levels differ across the country, with microregions in North and Northeast regions presenting the highest percentage of missed cases. After underreporting correction, Brazil's estimated GS incidence rate increased from 8.74 to 10.02 per 1000 live births in the same period. Interpretation: Our findings highlight disparities in the registration level and incidence rate of GS in Brazil, reflecting regional heterogeneity in the quality of syphilis surveillance, access to prenatal care, and childbirth assistance services. This study provides robust evidence to enhance national surveillance systems, guide specific policies for GS detection disease control, and potentially mitigate the harmful consequences of mother-to-child transmission. The methodology might be applied in other regions to correct disease underreporting. Funding: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; The Bill Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust.

A completeness indicator of gestational and congenital syphilis information in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of information on gestational syphilis (GS) and congenital syphilis (CS) on the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN-Syphilis Brazil - Notifiable Diseases Information System) by compiling and validating completeness indicators between 2007 and 2018. METHODS: Overall, care, and socioeconomic completeness scores were compiled based on selected variables, by using ad hoc weights assigned by experts. The completeness scores were analysed, considering the region and area of residence, the pregnant woman's race/colour, and the year of case notification. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to validate the scores obtained by the weighted average method, compared with the values obtained by principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: Most selected variables presented a good or excellent degree of completeness for GS and CS, except for clinical classification, pregnant woman's level of education, partner's treatment, and child's race/colour, which were classified as poor or very poor. The overall (89.93% versus 89.69%) and socioeconomic (88.71% versus 88.24%) completeness scores for GS and CS, respectively, were classified as regular, whereas the care score (GS-90.88%, and CS-90.72%) was good, despite improvements over time. Differences in the overall, care and socioeconomic completeness scores according to region, area of residence, and ethnic-racial groups were reported for syphilis notifications. The completeness scores estimated by the weighted average method and PCA showed a strong linear correlation (> 0.90). CONCLUSION: The completeness of GS and CS notifications has been improving in recent years, highlighting the variables that form the care score, compared with the socioeconomic scores, despite differences between regions, area of residence, and ethnic-racial groups. The weighted average was a viable methodological alternative easily operationalised to estimate data completeness scores, allowing routine monitoring of the completeness of gestational and congenital syphilis records.

Evolution of the structure and results of Primary Health Care in Brazil between 2008 and 2019. / Evolução da estrutura e resultados da Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil entre 2008 e 2019.

This paper describes the structure and results of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil between 2008 and 2019. The medians of the following variables were calculated: PHC spending per inhabitant covered, PHC coverage, and rates of mortality and hospitalizations due to primary care sensitive conditions (PCSC), in 5,565 Brazilian municipalities stratified according to population size and quintile of the Brazilian Deprivation Index (IBP), and the median trend in the period was analyzed. There was a 12% increase in median PHC spending. PHC coverage expanded, with 3,168 municipalities presenting 100% coverage in 2019, compared to 2,632 in 2008. The median rates of PCSC mortality and hospitalizations increased 0.2% and decreased 44.9%, respectively. PHC spending was lower in municipalities with greater socioeconomic deprivation. The bigger the population and the better the socioeconomic conditions were in the municipalities, the lower the PHC coverage. The greater the socioeconomic deprivation was in the municipalities, the higher the median PCSC mortality rates. This study showed that the evolution of PHC was heterogeneous and is associated both with the population size and with the socioeconomic conditions of the municipalities.

Descreve a evolução da estrutura e resultados da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) no Brasil, entre 2008 e 2019. Foram calculadas a mediana de variáveis como: despesa per capita em APS por habitante coberto, cobertura da APS e as taxas de mortalidade e internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (CSAP) de 5.565 municípios brasileiros estratificados segundo porte populacional e quintil do Índice Brasileiro de Privação (IBP) e analisada a tendência mediana no período. Houve aumento de 12% na mediana da despesa em APS. A cobertura da APS expandiu, sendo que 3.168 municípios apresentaram 100% de cobertura em 2019, contra 2.632 em 2008. A mediana das taxas de mortalidade e internações por CSAP aumentou 0,2% e diminuiu 44,9% respectivamente. A despesa em APS foi menor nos municípios com maior privação socioeconômica. Quanto maior o porte populacional e melhores as condições socioeconômicas dos municípios, menor a cobertura da APS. Quanto maior a privação socioeconômica dos municípios, maiores foram as medianas das taxas de mortalidade por CSAP. Este estudo demonstrou que a evolução da APS foi heterogênea e está associada tanto ao porte populacional como às condições socioeconômicas dos municípios.

[Perceived neighborhood characteristics and practice of physical activity among adolescents and young adults: a model with distal outcomes]. / Características percebidas da vizinhança e a prática de atividade física entre adolescentes e adultos jovens: um modelo com respostas distais.

This study aimed to identify neighborhood profiles perceived by adolescents and young adults and estimate their association with global and leisure-time physical activity. Data from 1,637 individuals aged 15 to 24 years were taken from a cross-sectional study with cluster sampling, conducted in a city in the State of Bahia, Brazil, in 2011. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short version, in addition to a question about leisure activities. The perception of characteristics of the physical and social environment of the neighborhood was based on a scale with 14 questions. Neighborhood profiles were defined through latent class analysis (LCA), and the estimation of their effects on physical activity used a model with distal outcomes. The latent profile analysis resulted in three neighborhood patterns, described as "urban, sociable, and favorable to physical activity - class 1" (39.6%); "sociable and safe - class 2" (24.4%), "insecure, low sociability - class 3" (36%). Individuals belonging to "class 1" showed the highest probability to exercise (56.4%), while for classes 2 and 3 these percentages corresponded to 46.3% and 42.8%, respectively. A statistically significant association was identified only in the "urban, sociable and favorable to physical activity" class, whose chance of performing leisure activities was 72% (OR = 1.72; 95%CI: 1.29-2.29). Neighborhoods with attributes that favor the practice of physical activity and the existence of urbanization elements increase the chance of active leisure behavior among adolescents and young adults. The use of LCA and the model with distal outcomes are promising and innovative in neighborhood approaches.

Os objetivos do estudo foram identificar perfis de vizinhança percebidos por adolescentes e adultos jovens, e estimar sua associação com a realização de atividade física global e de lazer. Utilizaram-se dados de 1.637 indivíduos entre 15 e 24 anos, de um estudo transversal, com amostragem por conglomerados, de uma cidade do Estado da Bahia, Brasil, em 2011. A atividade física foi mensurada pelo International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), versão curta, além de questão sobre atividade no lazer. A percepção de características do ambiente físico e social da vizinhança se baseou em escala com 14 questões. Perfis de vizinhança foram definidos por meio de análise de classes latentes (LCA), e a estimação dos seus efeitos na atividade física usou o modelo com respostas distais. A análise de perfil latente resultou em três padrões de vizinhança, descritos como "urbana, sociável e favorável à atividade física - classe 1" (39,6%); "sociável e segura - classe 2" (24,4%); e "insegura, de baixa sociabilidade - classe 3" (36%). Os indivíduos pertencentes à "classe 1" apresentaram maior probabilidade de se exercitar (56,4%), enquanto, para as classes 2 e 3, estes percentuais corresponderam a 46,3% e 42,8%, respectivamente. Associação estatisticamente significante foi identificada apenas na classe "urbana, sociável e favorável à atividade física", cuja chance de realizar atividade de lazer foi de 72% (OR = 1,72; IC95%: 1,29-2,29). Bairros com atributos favoráveis à prática de atividade física e a existência de elementos de urbanização aumentam a chance do comportamento ativo no lazer entre os adolescentes e adultos jovens. O uso de LCA e do modelo com repostas distais é promissor e inovador na abordagem sobre vizinhança.

Los objetivos del estudio fueron identificar los perfiles de vecindario percibidos por los adolescentes y los adultos jóvenes y estimar su asociación con la realización de actividad física global y de ocio. Se utilizaron datos de 1.637 individuos entre 15 y 24 años, procedentes de un estudio transversal, con muestreo por conglomerados, de una ciudad del estado de Bahia, Brasil, en 2011. La actividad física se midió mediante el International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), versión corta, además de una pregunta sobre actividad en el ocio. La percepción de las características del entorno físico y social del vecindario se basó en una escala con 14 preguntas. Los perfiles de la vecindad se definieron a través del análisis de clase latente (ACL), y la estimación de sus efectos sobre la actividad física utilizó el modelo con respuestas distales. El análisis de perfil latente dio como resultado tres patrones de vecindario, descritos como "urbano, sociable y favorable a la actividad física - clase 1" (39,6 %); "sociable y seguro - clase 2" (24,4 %), "inseguro, de baja sociabilidad - clase 3" (36%). Los individuos pertenecientes a la "clase 1" presentaron la mayor probabilidad de hacer ejercicio (56,4 %), mientras que para las clases 2 y 3 estos porcentajes correspondieron a 46,3 % y 42,8 %, respectivamente. Solamente se identificó una asociación estadísticamente significativa en la clase "urbana, sociable y favorable a la actividad física", cuya probabilidad de realizar actividad de ocio fue de 72 % (OR = 1,72; IC95%: 1,29-2,29). Los barrios con atributos favorables para la actividad física y la existencia de elementos de urbanización aumentan la posibilidad de un comportamiento activo en el ocio entre los adolescentes y los adultos jóvenes. El uso de ACL y el modelo con respuestas distales son enfoques prometedores e innovadores para la vecindad.

[Revisiting definitions and natures of intersectoriality: a theoretical essay]. / Revisitando definições e naturezas da intersetorialidade: um ensaio teórico.

This theoretical essay addresses definitions and central characteristics of intersectoral actions for health. It aims, therefore, to reflect on the knowledge produced about the conceptions and nature of health intersectoral actions. An integrative review was conducted for the construction of the analyses from publications referring to the 2000-2019 period identified in the Lilacs, SciELO, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases. The corpus included 12 papers, with aspects related to the aim, purpose or method of intersectoral action under analysis, outlining similarities and contrasts between definitions. Given the opacity in the construction of definitions, we had to point out a socio-historical construction of the concepts, and that the provisional definitions express a certain blurring or erasure in dispute within the field of health that can lead to different viewpoints and are barriers to include the implementation of intersectoral actions related to health promotion in daily practices. Such reflections derived a set of propositions about the nature of intersectoral health actions that aim to contribute to the debate on the theme.

Este ensaio teórico aborda definições e características centrais das ações intersetoriais para a saúde. Tem como objetivo, portanto, refletir sobre o conhecimento produzido a respeito das concepções e da natureza das ações intersetoriais para a saúde. Para a construção das análises, realizou-se uma revisão integrativa a partir de publicações referentes ao período de 2000 a 2019 identificadas nas bases de dados Lilacs, SciELO, Web of Science e Science Direct. O corpus contemplou 12 artigos, sendo analisados os aspectos relacionados com a finalidade, o propósito ou o método da ação intersetorial, sendo possível traçar similaridades e contrastes entre as definições. Diante da opacidade na construção de definições, coube situar que existe uma construção sócio-histórica dos conceitos, mas as definições provisórias expressam certo borramento ou apagamento que se encontram em disputa no interior do campo da saúde e que podem direcionar a distintos pontos de vista e constituir barreiras para incluir a implementação das ações intersetoriais relacionadas à promoção da saúde nas práticas cotidianas. De tais reflexões derivaram um conjunto de proposições acerca das naturezas das ações intersetoriais para a saúde, com vistas a contribuir para o debate sobre a temática.

The Salvador Primary Care Longitudinal Study of Child Development (CohortDICa) Following the Zika Epidemic: Study Protocol.

This article describes the Salvador Primary Care Longitudinal Study of Child Development (CohortDICa). The exposed group was defined by confirmation of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) diagnosed through computed tomography, magnetic resonance or transfontanellar ultrasound. A random selection of the 169 exposed children led to a subgroup of 120 children who were paired with children from the Live Birth Information System, according to birthdate, residence in the same street or neighborhood, and gestational age, resulting in 115 subjects in the non-exposed group. Following recruitment and before the participants completed 42 months, three measures were applied to assess cognitive, motor, and language performance, corresponding to three home visits. Social characteristics of the families and children, and the neurocognitive development of the children will be compared across the CZS exposed group (n = 147), the typical children with no exposure to CZS (n = 115) and the STORCH exposed group (Syphilis, Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex) (n = 20). Primary Health Care (PHC) should include long-term care strategies for the care of children and family members, and might benefit from the research, teaching, and extension activities provided in this study. In the face of the consequences of the Zika virus epidemic, an opportunity arose to intervene in the integrated care of child development within PHC, including, on an equal basis, typical children and those with delays or disabilities in the first six years of life.

Trends in primary health care-sensitive conditions in Brazil: the role of the Family Health Program (Project ICSAP-Brazil).

BACKGROUND: This study describes trends in hospital admission rates for primary healthcare-sensitive conditions (PHCSC) in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of increased primary healthcare availability through the implementation of the Family Health Program (FHP) on PHCSC admissions rates at the national, regional, and state-levels between 1999 and 2007. RESEARCH DESIGN: An ecologic panel data study was used and a fixed effects multivariate negative binomial model was used to estimate the association of PHCSC admission rate and FHP controlling for other relevant covariates. RESULTS: It was shown that, at the national level, PHCSC hospital admissions declined by 24%-over 2.5 times more rapidly than the decline in hospitalizations for all other (non-PHCSC) conditions. Greater reductions in the PHCSC admission rates when compared with the non-PHCSC admission rates were also observed when the data were divided by regions and states. Regression models showed that at the state level the greater the FHP coverage, the less was the PHCSC hospital admissions even when controlling for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have important implications for the healthcare model in countries that base their national health systems on primary healthcare. This is the first study to evaluate the association between FHP coverage and PHCSC admissions rates in all the Brazilian states over a long and relevant period for the consolidation of FHP in the country.

[The health system of Brazil]. / Sistema de salud de Brasil.

This paper describes the Brazilian health system, which includes a public sector covering almost 75% of the population and an expanding private sector offering health services to the rest of the population. The public sector is organized around the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) and it is financed with general taxes and social contributions collected by the three levels of government (federal, state and municipal). SUS provides health care through a decentralized network of clinics, hospitals and other establishments, as well as through contracts with private providers. SUS is also responsible for the coordination of the public sector. The private sector includes a system of insurance schemes known as Supplementary Health which is financed by employers and/or households: group medicine (companies and households), medical cooperatives, the so called Self-Administered Plans (companies) and individual insurance plans.The private sector also includes clinics, hospitals and laboratories offering services on out-of-pocket basis mostly used by the high-income population. This paper also describes the resources of the system, the stewardship activities developed by the Ministry of Health and other actors, and the most recent policy innovations implemented in Brazil, including the programs saúde da Familia and Mais Saúde.

Completeness and characterization of gestational syphilis and congenital syphilis records in Bahia, Brazil, 2007-2017. / Completude e caracterização dos registros de sífilis gestacional e congênita na Bahia, 2007-2017.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the completeness and characteristics of reported gestational syphilis and congenital syphilis cases in the state of Bahia, Brazil, between 2007 and 2017. METHODS: This was an ecological study using data retrieved from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN). Incidence rates at the macro-regional and state levels and percentage completeness were calculated. RESULTS: 15,050 gestational syphilis cases and 7,812 congenital syphilis cases were identified. The incidence rate varied from 1.3 to 15.1 cases in pregnant women/1,000 live births and from 0.5 to 6.7 cases in infants under 1 year old/1,000 live births. Completeness of 'clinical classification' of gestational syphilis varied from 58.2% to 67.2% in the periods studied. CONCLUSION: The study showed an increase in incidence rates, flaws in report form completion and the need to implement routine information quality evaluation.

[Association between the incidence rates for gestational syphilis and congenital syphilis and prenatal care coverage in the State of Bahia, Brazil]. / Associação entre as taxas de incidência de sífilis gestacional e sífilis congênita e a cobertura de pré-natal no Estado da Bahia, Brasil.

This study aimed to analyze the association between incidence rates for gestational and congenital syphilis and coverage of prenatal care from 2007 to 2017 in the State of Bahia, Brazil. This was an ecological and longitudinal study in which the units of analysis were the municipalities (counties) of the State of Bahia. Secondary data were used, obtained from the databases of the Health Information Systems. Analysis of the association between the incidence rates and prenatal coverage was performed with panel datal, using the fixed model with negative binomial response, controlled for socioeconomic, demographic, and temporal variables. In the multivariate analyses, prenatal coverage showed a statistically significant positive association with gestational syphilis incidence rate, but no association was found with congenital syphilis the incidence rate. Using municipalities with prenatal coverage < 45% as the reference group, the gestational syphilis incidence rate increased by 22% and 25%, respectively, in municipalities with prenatal coverage of 45%-64.9% (RR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.11-1.33) and ≥ 65% (RR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.10-1.43). The findings indicate that although the expansion of prenatal coverage in municipalities in Bahia has helped improve the detection of gestational syphilis, it did not impact the congenital syphilis incidence rate. Prenatal care as provided suffers limitations that should be the target of interventions to prevent and block vertical syphilis transmission.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a associação entre as taxas de incidência da sífilis gestacional e da sífilis congênita e a cobertura de pré-natal no período de 2007 a 2017 no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico e longitudinal, cujas unidades de análise foram os municípios do Estado da Bahia. Foram utilizados dados secundários, obtidos nas bases de dados dos Sistemas de Informação em Saúde. A análise da associação entre as taxas de incidência e a cobertura do pré-natal foi realizada por meio de dados em painel, utilizando o modelo fixo com resposta binomial negativa, controlada pelas variáveis socioeconômica, demográfica e de tempo. Nas análises multivariadas, a cobertura de pré-natal apresentou associação positiva estatisticamente significante com a taxa de incidência de sífilis gestacional, mas não foi observada associação com a taxa de incidência de sífilis congênita. Tendo como referência o grupo de municípios com cobertura pré-natal < 45%, a taxa de incidência de sífilis gestacional aumentou em 22% e 25%, respectivamente nos municípios com cobertura de pré-natal entre 45%-64,9% (RR = 1,22; IC95%: 1,11-1,33) e ≥ 65% (RR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,10-1,43). Os achados do estudo indicam que, embora a ampliação da cobertura de atenção pré-natal nos municípios baianos tenha contribuído para a melhoria da detecção dos casos de sífilis gestacional, não houve impacto na redução da taxa de incidência de sífilis congênita. A assistência pré-natal prestada apresenta limitações, que devem ser alvo de intervenções que promovam a prevenção e o bloqueio da transmissão vertical da sífilis.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la asociación entre las tasas de incidencia de la sífilis gestacional y de la sífilis congénita con la cobertura prenatal, en el período de 2007 a 2017, en el Estado de Bahía, Brasil. Se trata de un estudio ecológico y longitudinal, cuyas unidades de análisis fueron los municipios del Estado de Bahía. Se utilizaron datos secundarios, obtenidos en las bases de datos de los Sistemas de Información en Salud. El análisis de la asociación entre las tasas de incidencia y la cobertura del cuidado prenatal se realizada mediante datos en panel, utilizando el modelo fijo con respuesta binomial negativa, controlada por las variables socioeconómica, demográfica y de tiempo. En los análisis multivariados, la cobertura prenatal presentó una asociación positiva, estadísticamente significante con la tasa de incidencia de sífilis gestacional, pero no se observó una asociación con la tasa de incidencia de sífilis congénita. Teniendo como referencia el grupo de municipios con cobertura prenatal < 45%, la tasa de incidencia de sífilis gestacional aumentó en un 22% y 25% respectivamente, en los municipios con cobertura prenatal entre 45%-64,9% (RR = 1,22; IC95%: 1,11-1,33) e ≥ 65% (RR = 1,25; IC95%: 1,10-1,43). Los resultados del estudio indican que, a pesar de que la ampliación de la cobertura de atención prenatal en los municipios bahianos haya contribuido a la mejoría de la detección de los casos de sífilis gestacional, no presentó un impacto en la reducción de la tasa de incidencia de sífilis congénita. La asistencia prenatal prestada presenta limitaciones, que deben ser objetivo de intervenciones que promuevan la prevención y el bloqueo de la transmisión vertical de la sífilis.

Impact of the Family Health Program on the quality of vital information and reduction of child unattended deaths in Brazil: an ecological longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Vital information, despite of being an important public health instrument for planning and evaluation, in most of the developing countries have still low quality and coverage. Brazil has recently implemented the Family Health Program (PSF), one of the largest comprehensive primary health care programs in the world, which demonstrated effectiveness on the reduction of infant mortality. In the present study we evaluate the impact of the PSF on mortality rates related to the quality of vital information: the under-five mortality rate due to ill-defined causes and unattended death. METHODS: Data on mortality rates and PSF coverage was obtained for the total 5,507 Brazilian municipalities from 2000 to 2006. A multivariate regression analysis of panel data was carried out with a negative binomial response by using fixed effects models that control for relevant covariates. RESULTS: A statistically significant negative association was observed between PSF coverage levels, classified in none (0%, the reference category), low (<30.0%), intermediate (>or= 30.0% and <70.0%) and high (>or= 70.0%), and all analysed mortalities rates, with a reduction of 17% (Rate Ratio [RR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79 - 0.88), 35% (RR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.61-0.68) and 50% (RR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.47-0.53) on under-five mortality due to ill-defined causes, respectively. In the mortality rate for unattended death the reduction was even greater, reaching 60% (RR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.37-0.44) in the municipalities with the highest PSF coverage. The PSF effect on unattended deaths was slightly stronger in municipalities with a higher human development index. CONCLUSIONS: The PSF, a primary health care program developed mostly in rural and deprived areas, had an important role on reducing the unattended deaths and improving the quality of vital information in Brazil.

Primary care-sensitive hospitalization conditions in children under the age of 1 in Brazil. / Internações por condições sensíveis à Atenção Primária à Saúde em crianças menores de 1 ano no Brasil.

Primary care-sensitive condition hospitalizations (PCSCH) are an essential health care indicator. This ecological, time-series study aimed to analyze the time trend of PCSCH in children under the age of 1 in Brazil, considering the age subcomponents of newborns and post-newborns. The PCSCH rates were calculated for infants under the age of 1 and in the neonatal and postneonatal subgroups. The Prais-Winsten generalized linear analysis model and the Annual Percent Change (APC) calculation were used to evaluate the time trend. The results showed that infectious gastroenteritis represented the most important cause of hospitalizations due PCSCH in children under the age of 1. Congenital syphilis and other congenital infections accounted for the highest proportion of hospitalizations in newborns, whereas gastroenteritis prevailed in post-newborns. An increase in newborn hospitalization rates and a decrease in hospitalization rates in both the postneonatal group and the group of children under the age of 1. Differences in trends in these hospitalization rates may reflect the influence of specific determinants on the risk of hospitalization in each age subcomponent.

As internações por condições sensíveis à Atenção Primária à Saúde (ICSAP) representam importante indicador do cuidado em saúde. Objetivou-se analisar a tendência temporal das internações por condições sensíveis a APS em menores de 1 ano, considerando os subcomponentes etários dos neonatos e pós-neonatos, no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, de série temporal. Foram calculadas as taxas de ICSAP em menores de 1 ano e nos subgrupos neonatal e pós-neonatal. O modelo de análise linear generalizado de Prais-Winsten e o cálculo da Annual Percente Change (APC) foram utilizados para avaliar a tendência temporal. Os resultados mostraram que as gastroenterites infecciosas representaram a causa mais importante de ICSAP nos menores de 1 ano. Nos neonatos, a sífilis congênita e outras infecções congênitas foram as responsáveis pela maior proporção de internações, enquanto nos pós-neonatos as gastroenterites tiveram maior magnitude. Constatou-se aumento nas taxas de hospitalização dos neonatos e diminuição nas taxas tanto no grupo pós-neonatal quanto no conjunto de menores de 1 ano. As diferenças nas tendências dessas taxas de hospitalizações podem refletir a influência de determinantes específicos no risco de internar em cada um dos subcomponentes etários.