COVID-19 and the elaboration of personal plans in + 50: a Brazilian experience.

BACKGROUND: In front of the physical and social isolation, as well as feelings of fear and instability imposed by the pandemic of COVID-19, especially for risk groups such as people 50 + , it became even more relevant to discuss the formulation of personal plans for this age population. This study aimed to analyse the individual plans of people 50 + , considering their perception, feelings and life experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a mixed study (quali-quantitative), using Minayo's methodology for content analysis and frequency analyses, made with 39 participants from the University of Brasília Educational Program, Universidade do Envelhecer - UniSER/UnB. We used a word cloud system and a wheel of life tool to showcase the results. RESULTS: Analysing professional achievements and situations participants want to overcome, the categories of feelings that stand out were Loving Relationships, Sadness, Family Absence, Grief, Trauma and Regret. Intellectual Development, Personal Fulfilment, Purpose and Creativity, Hobbies and Fun were the most mentioned personal plans displayed by the wheel of life. The key personal changes mentioned were to be less shy, prioritise themselves, change how they interact with others, and focus on their health. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that perception, feelings and life experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic did not seem to directly affect the path in elaborating personal plans.

An Assessment of Mortality among Elderly Brazilians from Alcohol Abuse Diseases: A Longitudinal Study from 1996 to 2019.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a worldwide public health problem, being an important aggravating factor of comorbidities found in the elderly, with the potential to increase mortality indicators for this age group. OBJECTIVE: To analyze alcohol-induced deaths in elderly people with alcohol-related disorder in Brazil between 1996 and 2019. METHODS: An ecological study was conducted with secondary data obtained from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIM) Mortality Information System from 1996 to 2019. TabNet/DATASUS, Excel® 2016 and SPSS 21® were used to prepare the results. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 2019, 85,928 alcohol-induced deaths were recorded among the elderly (>60 years); in 1996, the lowest number of deaths was recorded (n = 1396), and in 2018, there were the highest number of deaths (n = 5667). In the profile of the elderly, there was a predominance of men (88%). Mortality from AUD was due to alcoholic liver disease (62.2%), followed by mental disorders due to alcohol use (37.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Coping with AUD is a public health problem that aims to reduce the number of deaths from diseases, conditions and injuries in which alcohol consumption is the causative agent, in addition to preventing deaths to which alcohol contributes.

[Albumin and drug therapy in the prognosis of hospitalized elderly]. / Albuminemia e terapia medicamentosa no prognóstico de idosos hospitalizados.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum albumin levels, drugs used, length of hospitalization and number of diseases with the prognosis of hospitalized elderly. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective study was carried out using a review of medical charts. Variables collected were disease motivating admission, albumin, drugs used and their affinity for albumin and length of stay in an elderly population of a Brazilian public hospital. We used multiple regression to assess whether age, length of stay, medication with or without affinity to albumin and number of drugs motivating admission were causes of death. The relation between dependent and independent variables was analyzed by two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 277 elderly, 151 with hypoalbuminemia and those using an average of 6.6 +/- 3.80 different prescription drugs most of which had affinity for albumin (4.96 +/- 2.64). Results showed that the number of drugs with affinity for albumin and hospital stay were predictors of death (r = 0.47, R2 = 0.224), (F(8.170) = 6.13; p=0.001). The relation between dependent and independent variables resulted in the mathematical equation: (death= 0.545 - 0.374 (albumin) - 0.195 (days of hospitalization) + 0.175 (number of drugs with affinity for albumin)). CONCLUSION: The mathematical equation obtained by this study demonstrated that albumin and days of hospitalization were inversely correlated with death and directly correlated with the number of drugs bound to albumin.

Vitamina D: Apontamentos históricos e sua importância para manutenção da saúde / Vitamin D: Historical notes and its importance for health maintenance / Vitamina D: apuntes históricos y su importancia para el mantenimiento de la salud

Heródoto, do grego Ἡρόδοτος, viveu até onde se conhece entre 485 a 425 a.C., perseverando seu interesse intelectual junto as atividades de historiador e de geógrafo, sendo reconhecido enquanto "pai da história" e, tendo analisado e escrito sobre a invasão da Pérsia ao estado da Grécia.1,2,3 Em seus escritos, Heródoto pode observar que os guerreiros persas possuíam os seus "crânios moles", por conta dos mesmos, segundo suas observações, "utilizarem turbante" e, desta forma, não tendo acesso a exposição aos raios solares.

Vírus de Marburg: Brevíssimos apontamentos sobre sua história, classificação científica e saúde pública / Marburg virus: very brief notes on its history, scientific classification and public health / Virus de Marburg: apuntes muy breves sobre su historia, clasificación científica y salud pública

A "febre de Marburg", "febre hemorrágica de Margurg", o "Marburgvirus", o "Vírus de Marburg", o "Vírus de Marburgo" (MARV), ou ainda, a "doença do vírus Marburg" (DVM), são nomenclaturas relacionadas a mesma complexa enfermidade, que possuir elevada virulência e letalidade, sendo pertencente direta da ordem dos "Mononegavirales", da família "Filoviridae" e do gênero "Marburgvirus". 1,2,3,5,9,10,12,13 Conforme identificado junto a literatura científica, um outro termo alternativo e, diretamente relacionado ao DVM é "Marburgvirus do Lago Vitória", sendo ele possuidor de várias linhagens e, o seu gênero, não mostra reatividade antigênica do tipo cruzada, com o conhecido "Ebolavirus"

Vitamina D: Brevíssimas considerações sobre sua bioquímica, patologias relacionadas e saúde pública / Vitamin D: Very brief considerations on its biochemistry, related pathologies and public health / Vitamina D: Breves consideraciones sobre su bioquímica, patologías relacionadas y salud pública

Na atualidade, vasta são as produções e pesquisas, que analisam os inúmeros benefícios emanados pela vitamina D no organismo humano, se constituindo enquanto uma das principais questões na atualidade, geradora de reflexões e análises sistemáticas, em relação a este verdadeiro hormônio corporal, necessário à nossa existência e sobrevivência, com qualidade.1-10 Nesse sentido, a vitamina D se compõem enquanto constituinte, do que conhecemos enquanto "secosteroides", ou seja, compostos do tipo químico, que são derivados de um tipo de esteroide, que são provenientes de estruturas que tiveram a sua separação, desenvolvidas em suas outras ligações.

Situação epidemiológica do Monkeypox (MPX) no Brasil, até outubro de 2022: Casos notificados, confirmados, suspeitos e mortalidade / Epidemiological situation of Monkeypox (MPX) in Brazil, until October 2022: Notified, confirmed, suspected cases and mortality / Situación epidemiológica de la Viruela del Simio (MPX) en Brasil, hasta octubre de 2022: Casos notificados, confirmados, sospechosos y mortalidade

Objetivo: Analisar a frequência de registros de Monkeypox (MPX) no recorte histórico formado pelos meses de "janeiro a outubro de 2022" no recorte geográfico formado pelo "Brasil". Método: Pesquisa exploratória, descritiva, comparativa e quantitativa. Os dados foram adquiridos junto ao Centro de Informações Estratégicas em Vigilância em Saúde (CIEVS), do Centro de Operações em Emergências (COE) do Ministério da Saúde (MS). Resultados: Foram notificados o universo de 13.915 registros de MPX, sendo que 65% (n=9.045) eram de casos confirmados e 35% (n=4.870) eram de casos suspeitos. A região Sudeste (SE) computou a maior preponderância, tanto de casos confirmados com 65,1% (n=5.886) quanto de casos suspeitos com 33,6% (n=1.635). O estado de São Paulo (SP) obteve maior preponderância com 44,4%(n=4.012) casos confirmados e 23,2% (n=1.131) casos suspeitos. Conclusão: Foi identificado aumento na frequência de registros de casos confirmados e suspeitos no recorte geográfico e histórico analisados.

Objective: To analyze the frequency of Monkeypox (MPX) records in the historical period formed by the months from "January to October 2022" in the geographic region formed by "Brazil". Method: Exploratory, descriptive, comparative and quantitative research. Data were acquired from the Center for Strategic Information on Health Surveillance (CIEVS), from the Emergency Operations Center (COE) of the Ministry of Health (MS). Results: A total of 13,915 MPX records were reported, of which 65% (n=9,045) were confirmed cases and 35% (n=4,870) were suspected cases. The Southeast (SE) region accounted for the highest preponderance, both of confirmed cases with 65.1% (n=5,886) and of suspected cases with 33.6% (n=1,635). The state of São Paulo (SP) had the highest prevalence with 44.4% (n=4,012) confirmed cases and 23.2% (n=1,131) suspected cases. Conclusion: An increase in the frequency of records of confirmed and suspected cases was identified in the geographical and historical scope analyzed

Objetivo: Analizar la mortalidad por infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) en Brasil de 1996 a 2017. Método: Estudio epidemiológico, exploratorio, descriptivo y cuantitativo. Los datos fueron extraídos del Servicio de Información de Mortalidad (SIM) del Ministerio de Salud (MS). Se realizó análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: Se identificó un universo de 1.592.197 registros, con media y desviación estándar de (72.373±12.999,9). El año 2016 registró la mayor preponderancia con 5,9% (n=94.148) y 1996 la menor con 3,5% (n=55.900). La mayor preponderancia estuvo constituida por 59,1% (n=940.552) del sexo masculino, 25,6% (n=407.340) tenían entre 70 y 79 años, 54,7% (n=871.319) eran blancos, 45,5% (n=725.234) casados, 20,7 El % (n=328.981) tenía de 1 a 3 años de escolaridad, el 55,6% (n=885.368) tenían sus defunciones registradas en el hospital. Conclusión: Se identificó un aumento en la frecuencia de registros de defunción por IAM en el área geográfica e histórica analizada.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome in Brazilian middle-aged and older adults.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex clinicopathological entity characterized by diffuse or focal fat accumulation in the hepatic parenchyma of patients who deny abusive alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess idiopathic NAFLD in community-dwelling, middle-aged and older adults living in the Brazilian Federal District. Associations between NAFLD and components of metabolic syndrome and the whole syndrome were investigated. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This was a cross-sectional study on 139 subjects aged 55 years or older. METHODS: NAFLD was diagnosed by means of clinical procedures, to exclude subjects with signs of liver disorders, abusive alcohol consumption and influence from hepatotoxic drugs. Phenotypes were graded based on ultrasound examination. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the NCEP ATP III criteria. Laboratory tests were performed to assist clinical examinations and define the syndrome. RESULTS NAFLD was present in 35.2% of the subjects. Taken together, the two most intense phenotypes correlated with increased serum fasting glucose, triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 25.9% of the sample. In addition to associating NAFLD with specific traits of metabolic syndrome, non-parametric analysis confirmed the existence of a relationship (p < 0.05) between the steatotic manifestation and the syndromic condition. CONCLUSION: Compared with the literature, this study reveals greater frequency of idiopathic NAFLD among Brazilian middle-aged and older adults than is described elsewhere. The findings also suggest that impaired glycemic metabolism coupled with increased fat delivery and/or sustained endogenous biosynthesis is the most likely physiopathogenic mechanisms underlying the onset of NAFLD in this population.

Obesidade nos registros de óbito de Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave por Covid-19, Brasil, 2021 / Obesity in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome death records by Covid-19, Brazil, 2021 / Obesidad en los registros de defunción del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo por Covid-19, Brasil, 2021

Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), o sobrepeso e a obesidade podem ser definidas enquanto o acúmulo anormal ou excessivo de gordura, podendo se constituir enquanto prejudiais a saúde.1 Os referidos problemas de saúde pública tem adquirido proporções pandêmicas, onde aproximadamente, 4 milhões de pessoas morrem a cada ano em sua decorrência ou por conta de complicações relacionadas

Registros de ocorrências policiais de "stalking" em Brasília (DF) e regiões administrativas, 2021 / Records of police "stalking" occurrences in Brasília (DF) and administrative regions / 2021 Registros de casos policial de "stalking" en Brasília (DF) y regiones administrativas, 2021

Objetivo: Desenvolver uma reflexão no que se refere ao crime do "Stalking", registrado por meio de ocorrências policiais na cidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal (DF) e regiões administrativas no ano de 2021. Método: Os dados foram adquiridos junto a Divisão de Análise Técnica e Estatística (DATE), pertencente ao Departamento de Inteligência e Gestão da Informação (DIGI) da Polícia Civil do Distrito Federal (PCDF). Foi implementada análise estatística do tipo descritiva e os resultados foram expostos utilizando uma figura e uma tabela. Resultados: Foi identificado o universo de 1.673 casos, com média e desvio-padrão (167,3±61,0). Os meses de agosto e setembro registraram as maiores preponderâncias, cada um com 12,6% (n=210) e março a menor com 0,4% (n=06). Conclusão: Por meio da presente pesquisa foi possível verificar a importância da Lei Federal de número 14.132/2021, objetivando tipificar o fenômeno do "Stalking". Também foi possível perceber que o referido dispositivo legislativo, incentivou o registro de ocorrências policiais, além de contribuir para o combate, mitigação e controle deste crime

Objective: To develop a reflection regarding the crime of "Stalking", recorded through police occurrences in the city of Brasília, Federal District (DF) and administrative regions in the year 2021. Method: Data were acquired from the Division of Technical and Statistical Analysis (DATE), belonging to the Department of Intelligence and Information Management (DIGI) of the Civil Police of the Federal District (PCDF). Descriptive statistical analysis was implemented and the results were exposed using a figure and a table. Results: The universe of 1,673 cases was identified, with mean and standard deviation (167.3±61.0). The months of August and September registered the highest preponderances, each with 12.6% (n=210) and March the lowest with 0.4% (n=06). Conclusion: Through the present research, it was possible to verify the importance of the Federal Law number 14.132/2021, aiming to typify the phenomenon of "Stalking". It was also possible to perceive that the aforementioned legislative device encouraged the registration of police occurrences, in addition to contributing to the fight, mitigation and control of this crime.

Objetivo: Desarrollar una reflexión sobre el delito de "Acoso", registrado a través de incidentes policiales en la ciudad de Brasilia, Distrito Federal (DF) y regiones administrativas en el año 2021. Método: Los datos fueron adquiridos de la División de Técnico y Análisis Estadístico (DATE), perteneciente a la Dirección de Inteligencia y Manejo de la Información (DIGI) de la Policía Civil del Distrito Federal (PCDF). Se aplicó el análisis estadístico descriptivo y se expusieron los resultados mediante una figura y una tabla. Resultados: Se identificó el universo de 1.673 casos, con media y desviación estándar (167,3±61,0). Los meses de agosto y septiembre registraron las mayores preponderancias, cada uno con 12,6% (n=210) y marzo la menor con 0,4% (n=06). Conclusión: A través de la presente investigación, fue posible verificar la importancia de la Ley Federal número 14.132/2021, con el objetivo de tipificar el fenómeno del "Stalking". También se pudo percibir que el mencionado dispositivo legislativo incentivó el registro de las ocurrencias policiales, además de contribuir al combate, mitigación y control de este delito

Varíola e Varíola dos macacos (Monkeypox): Brevíssimos apontamentos históricos / Smallpox and Monkeypox (Monkeypox): Very brief historical notes / Viruela y Viruela del Mono (Monkeypox): Notas históricas muy breves

A palavra variola ou varíola, etimologicamente possui origem do latim vulgar "varius", sendo formada por meio do radical "vari", que se encontra presente em inúmeros verbetes, como por exemplo, "vários", "variedade" e "varicela", sendo esta última o diminutivo de varíola e, possuindo enquanto significação, "marcado", ou por extensão, com "manchas".1,2,3 Segundo alguns antigos relatos, se considera que ela teria surgido inicialmente na Índia ou no Egito, sendo também descrita posteriormente junto ao continente asiático e ainda, no africano desde antes do Anno Domini (A.D.), ou seja, do que é considerada a era cristã.1,

Brevíssimas considerações históricas sobre o processo de vacinação de crianças e adolescentes contra a COVID-19 no Brasil / Very brief historical considerations about the process of vaccination of children and adolescents against COVID-19 in Brazil / Breves consideraciones históricas sobre el proceso de vacunación de niños y adolescentes contra la COVID-19 en Brasil

Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), o sobrepeso e a obesidade podem ser definidas enquanto o acúmulo anormal ou excessivo de gordura, podendo se constituir enquanto prejudiais a saúde.1 Os referidos problemas de saúde pública tem adquirido proporções pandêmicas, onde aproximadamente, 4 milhões de pessoas morrem a cada ano em sua decorrência ou por conta de complicações relacionadas

Main characteristics of patients of primary health care services in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients of primary health care services according to demographic and socioeconomic aspects, habits and lifestyle, health condition, and demand for health services and medicines. METHODS: This study is part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services), a cross-sectional study carried out between 2014 and 2015. Interviews were conducted with patients over the age of 17 years, with a standardized questionnaire, in primary health care services of a representative sample of cities, stratified by regions of Brazil. The analysis was performed for complex samples and weighted according to the population size of each region. RESULTS: A total of 8,676 patients were interviewed, being 75.8% women, most of them aged from 18 to 39 years; 24.2% men, most of them aged from 40 to 59 years; 53.7% with elementary school; 50.5% reported to be of mixed race ethnicity, 39.7%, white, and 7.8%, black. Half of patients were classified as class C and 24.8% received the Bolsa Familia benefit. Only 9.8% had health insurance, with higher proportion in the South and lower in the North and Midwest. The proportion of men who consumed alcohol was higher than among women, as well as smokers. The self-assessment of health showed that 57% believed it to be very good or good, with lower proportion in the Northeast. The prevalence of chronic diseases/conditions, such as hypertension (38.6%), dyslipidemia (22.7%), arthritis/rheumatism (19.4%), depression (18.5%), diabetes (13.6%), and others are higher in these patients them among the general population. Medicines were predominantly sought in the health care service or in pharmacies of the Brazilian Unified Health System. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to characterize the profile of patients of Primary Health Care, but the originality of the research and its national scope hinders the comparison of results with official data or other articles.

Pharmaceutical care in Brazil's primary health care.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the activities of clinical nature developed by pharmacists in basic health units and their participation in educational activities aiming at health promotion. METHODS: This article is part of the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015), a cross-sectional and exploratory study, of evaluative nature, consisting of a survey of information in a representative sample of cities, stratified by the Brazilian regions that constitute domains of study, and a subsample of primary health care services. The interviewed pharmacists (n=285) were responsible for the delivery of medicines and were interviewed in person with the use of a script. The characterization of the activities of clinical nature was based on information from pharmacists who declared to perform them, and on participation in educational activities aiming at health promotion, according to information from all pharmacists. The results are presented in frequency and their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: From the interviewed subjects, 21.3% said they perform activities of clinical nature. Of these, more than 80% considered them very important; the majority does not dispose of specific places to perform them, which hinders privacy and confidentiality in these activities. The main denominations were "pharmaceutical guidance" and "pharmaceutical care." The registration of activities is mainly made in the users' medical records, computerized system, and in a specific document filed at the pharmacy, impairing the circulation of information among professionals. Most pharmacists performed these activities mainly along with physicians and nurses; 24.7% rarely participated in meetings with the health team, and 19.7% have never participated. CONCLUSIONS: Activities of clinical nature performed by pharmacists in Brazil are still incipient. The difficulties found point out to the professionals' improvisation and effort. The small participation in educational activities of health promotion indicates little integration of pharmacists with the health team and of pharmaceutical services with other health actions.

Workforce in the pharmaceutical services of the primary health care of SUS, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the workforce in the pharmaceutical services in the primary care of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS This is a cross-sectional and quantitative study, with data from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). For the analysis, we considered the data stratification into geographical regions. We analyzed the data on workers in the municipal pharmaceutical services management and in the medicine dispensing units, according to the country's regions. For the statistical association analysis, we carried out a Pearson correlation test for the categorical variables. RESULTS: We analyzed 1,175 pharmacies/dispensing units, 507 phone interviews (495 pharmaceutical services coordinators), and 1,139 professionals responsible for medicine delivery. The workforce in pharmaceutical services was mostly constituted by women, aged from 18 to 39 years, with higher education (90.7% in coordination and 45.5% in dispensing units), having permanent employment bonds (public tender), being for more than one year in the position or duty, and with weekly work hours above 30h, working both in municipal management and in medicine dispensing units. We observed regional differences in the workforce composition in dispensing units, with higher percentage of pharmacists in the Southeast and Midwest regions. CONCLUSIONS: The professionalization of municipal management posts in primary health care is an achievement in the organization of the workforce in pharmaceutical services. However, significant deficiencies exist in the workforce composition in medicine dispensing units, which may compromise the medicine use quality and its results in population health.

Medicine dispensing service in primary health care of SUS.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the medicine dispensing services in the primary health care network in Brazil and in its different regions, aiming to promote the access and rational use of medicines. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study with data obtained from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), 2015. Observation visits were carried out in 1,175 dispensing units, and interviews were held with 1,139 professionals responsible for the dispensation of medicines in the dispensing units and 495 municipal coordinators of pharmaceutical services. RESULTS: More than half (53%) of the units presented a space smaller than 10 m2 for dispensing of medicines; 23.8% had bars or barriers between users and dispenser; 41.7% had computerized system; and 23.7% had counters for individual care. Among those responsible for dispensation, 87.4% said they always or repeatedly inform users how to use the medicines, and 18.1% reported developing some type of clinical activity. Isolated pharmacies presented a more developed physical and personal structure than those belonging to health units, but we found no significant differences regarding the information provided and the development of clinical activities. CONCLUSIONS: There are major differences in the organization models of dispensation between cities, with regional differences regarding the physical structure and professionals involved. The centralization of medicine dispensing in pharmacies separated from the health services is associated with better structural and professional conditions, as in the dispensing units of the South, Southeast, and Midwest regions. However, the development of dispensation as health service does not prevail in any pharmacy or region of the Country yet.

Infrastructure of pharmacies of the primary health care in the Brazilian Unified Health System: Analysis of PNAUM - Services data.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the infrastructure of the primary health care pharmacies of the Brazilian Unified Health System, aiming at humanizing the offered services. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, of quantitative approach, from data obtained in the Pesquisa Nacional de Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). Information on 1,175 pharmacies/dispensing units were gathered from direct observation and assessment of dispensing units installations conducted by trained researchers who used a standardized form. The analyzed variables refer to the physical structure of pharmacies or medicine dispensing units of the health units under research. RESULTS: The pharmacy area was greater than 14 m2 in 40.3% of the sampled units, highlighting those from Midwest (56.9%) and Southeast (56.2%) regions and those of Northeast, with only 23.3%. About 80.2% units had waiting rooms with chairs for patients, 31.8% of them had dispensing areas inferior to 5m2, while in 46.2% these areas were superior to 10m2. Bars were found in service counters in 23.8% of health units, thus separating the patient from the professional; 44.1% had internet access. In most units, the area of medicine storage had no refrigerator or freezer for their exclusive storage and 13.7% had a specific room for pharmaceutical consultation. CONCLUSION: Aiming at achieving care humanization and improving working conditions for professionals, the structuring of the environment of pharmacy services is necessary. This would contribute to the better qualification of pharmacy services, comprising more than medicine delivery. Data on the Northeast region indicated less favorable conditions to the development of adequate dispensing services. Based on the panorama pointed out, we suggest the expansion of stimulus concerning the physical structure of pharmaceutical services, considering regional specificities.

Indicators related to the rational use of medicines and its associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate indicators related to the rational use of medicines and its associated factors in Basic Health Units. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a representative sample of Brazilian cities included in the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). The data were collected by interviews with users, medicine dispensing professionals, and prescribers; and described by prescription, dispensing, and health services indicators. We analyzed the association between human resources characteristics of pharmaceutical services and dispensing indicators. RESULTS: At national level, the average number of medicines prescribed was 2.4. Among the users, 5.8% had antibiotic prescription, 74.8% received guidance on how to use the medicines at the pharmacy and, for 45.1% of users, all prescribed medicines were from the national list of essential medicines. All the indicators presented statistically significant differences between the regions of Brazil. The dispensing professionals that reported the presence of a pharmacist in the unit with a working load of 40 hours or more per week presented 1.82 more chance of transmitting information on the way of using the medicines in the dispensing process. CONCLUSION: The analysis of prescription, dispensing, and health services indicators in the basic health units showed an unsatisfactory proportion of essential medicines prescription and limitations in the correct identification of the medicine, orientation to the patients on medicines, and availability of therapeutic protocols in the health services.

Patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, and evaluative study on a representative sample from the five Brazilian geopolitical regions resulting from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos - Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services, 2015). The outcome was the patient's satisfaction, obtained using the item response theory. Associations were tested using Pearson's Chi-square test with sociodemographic and health variables, and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to verify the adequacy of the final model. Logistic regression results were presented as odds ratio. RESULTS: The overall percentage of patients satisfied with these services was 58.4% (95%CI 54.4-62.3). The "opportunity/convenience" aspect had the lowest satisfaction percentage (49.5%; 95%CI 46.4-52.6) and "interpersonal aspects," the highest percentage (90.5%; 95%CI 88.9-91.8), significantly higher than other aspects. Sex, age group, limitations due to disease, and self-perception of health remained associated in the final multiple logistic model regarding general satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the interviewed users were satisfied with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian cities, and the satisfaction with the customer's service was determinant in the patient's overall satisfaction.

National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines: methods.

The Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos -Serviços (PNAUM - National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - Services) aimed to characterize the organization of pharmaceutical services in the Primary Health Care of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). PNAUM - Services is a cross-sectional and evaluative study, with planned sample of 600 cities, held between 2014 and 2015, composed of a remote phase, with telephone interviews with health managers. Of these 600 cities, 300 were selected for a survey on health services. We selected the 27 capitals, the 0.5% largest cities of each region, and the remaining cities were drawn. The estimate of the representative national sample size considered three levels: cities, medicine dispensing services, and patients. The interviews were carried out with a structured questionnaire specific for: municipal secretaries of health, professionals responsible for pharmaceutical services in the city, professionals responsible for the dispensing of medicines, physicians, and patients. The secondary data were obtained in official databases, in the latest update date. PNAUM - Services was the first nationwide research aimed at the assessment and acquisition of national and regional indicators on access to medicines, as well as use and rational use, from the perspective of various social subjects.